RSIPF officers at western border assist in two-day lockdown at Komaliae Village, Shortland Islands

Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) and the patrol Boat Auki assisted other government agencies during the two-day lockdown at Komaliae Village in the Shortland Islands, Western Province from 14 to 16 July 2020.

The patrol boat Auki delivered food to the people of Komaliae Village during the lock down which ended at 6 am this morning (16 July 2020).

Acting Commissioner Mostyn Mangau says, “Officers of the RSIPF Police Response Team and a team from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services were also at Komaliae to monitor the lockdown in the Village.”

“The lockdown at Komaliae Village was declared after three men from the Village were alleged to have transported a Bougainvillean man from Custom Island on Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) side of the common border to Komaliae Village and then from Komaliae back to Custom Island.”

“A report from RSIPF officers at the border says that on 30 June 2020, a Bougainvillean man who is married to a woman from Komaliae Village was dropped off by his family relatives at Custom Island and was picked up by two young men from Komaliae by outboard motor (OBM) and brought to Komaliae Village. There he stayed and interacted with the whole community for seven days. He was then transported back to Custom Island by another man,” says Acting Commissioner Mangau.

He adds, “The lockdown went well as the villagers at Komaliae were aware of what to do and observed the lockdown for their own safety.”

The three men from Komaliae Village are currently serving the mandatory 14-day quarantine under the COVID-19 State of Public Emergency at Gizo. They are expected to be charged for illegally crossing into PNG’s side of the common border after they have served the quarantine period.