Police Commissioner Matthew Varley thanks the surrounding communities to the Vasara Camp on Rendova Island in the Western Province, for their goodwill and support towards the police who were deployed to the area to stop the criminal activities resulting from a logging dispute.
He says communities surrendered voluntarily those who were involved in the criminal activities which resulted in a total of 76 males being charged with offences ranging from unlawful assembly to riotous behaviour. Of the 76 charged, 6 have been bailed including 5 juveniles and one adult. The remaining 70 males remain remanded in custody for 14 days.
Investigations continue into the events leading up to the arrest of these males, and further charges may be laid at a later date.
During the arrests a large cache of home-made weapons were seized by police. No firearms were used or seized during this incident. Police are remaining in Vasara Camp continuing their investigations and to also maintain the peace and hold awareness talks with the communities.
Commissioner Varley says, “Progress reports from officers in Vasara indicate the situation is calm and there has been no further disturbance.”
He further reiterates the police are not in the area to solve the dispute but to ensure uphold the law and preserve the peace.
Commissioner Varley stated the Commissioner of Forests and other government agencies are the rightful bodies to resolve the dispute between the landowning groups and the logging company involved.
He warns communities to understand that no one is above the law and no one should take the law into their own hands; particularly through acts of violence.
He urges communities to resolve disputes by dialogue.