10 suspects arrested after a burning incident in Choiseul Province

Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) at Taro and Police Response Team (PRT) have arrested 10 suspects for burning down three excavators in relation to a land dispute at Pangoe in East Choiseul early this month.

RSIPF Commissioner Mostyn Mangau said the investigation stated that the motive behind the arson incident is related to land issue which logging currently operated in east Pangoe.

Commissioner Mangau said initially, it is a long standing civil issue between parties involved. Since it involves the burning, now it becomes a police matter.”

The disputed party sent three men on 3 March 2023 to the disputed area to set fire on company excavators but were unsuccessful.

Commissioner said a few days later on 7 March 2023 more than 50 men approached the company’s security with masks on their faces and started attacking the security using bows and arrows, timbers and iron rods that seriously injured four securities officers.

Mr. Mangau said as the security escaped, the group of men burnt down three excavators, a welding generator, lotting the security tent and stole valuable properties estimated around six million Solomon Island dollars

The company security officers were transported to Taro hospital for further medical attention after the incident and now they are in stable condition.

Investigation into the burning incident is continuing and currently the 10 alleged suspects remanded at Gizo Correctional Centre while other suspects are yet to be arrested.

Police appeal to those suspects who at large to surrender themselves to police. Or parents and relatives of suspects at Pangoe to report their whereabouts to Taro police on phone 63199.