72 suspects charged over Church feud
POLICE in Gizo, Munda and Noro have charge 72 suspects in an incident that took place in Raro village, Roviana lagoon, Western province.
This is in relation to an incident that took place on the 7th of July 2021, involving the burning of houses.
Speaking on Thursday during the police weekly media conference, Assistant Commissioner Crime and Intelligence Patricia Leta said the suspects have been charged with unlawful assembly, rioting and damaging buildings and arson.
During the course of the incident, Ms Leta said police have been swiftly responded to the matter during the date.
She said three dwelling houses have been burnt down, and three other permanent houses have been looted and completely destroyed.
However, she said police managed to calm down the situation, and rushed the other five casualties to the Munda hospital for further treatment.
“One of them has sustained serious injuries and was admitted at the Munda hospital,” she said.
Ms Leta said the incident has caused families to be homeless without food and shelters after a group of men burnt down their valuable properties.
“It is allegedly the motive behind this incident is because of the ongoing religious differences between Christian Fellowship Church (CFC) whose members have been split to two groups.
“Group A are the suspect party and Group B are the victim party.”
Police have been reaching out to communities’ leaders and chiefs for assistance to improve.
The suspects are now being deal with the joint investigators from Munda, Noro and Gizo, and officers are looking on possible charges to charge each suspect to the court.
“Investigation on this matter is continue, and I want to appeal on anyone who information regarding this incident to come forward and assist police on their investigation,” Ms Leta said.
The court date for the suspects is yet to arrested firm by the police investigators.
Police are appealing on people with information regard to the matter to contact Gizo police on Tel: 60999 or Munda police on Tel: 62189 or police free-toll line 999.
By FOLLET JOHN
Newsroom, Honiara
