Thirteen suspects arrested for disputing telecommunication tower installation project in east Choiseul

Taro police have arrested thirteen suspects for disputing the installation of a telecommunication tower at Susuka village in east Choiseul.

It was alleged the suspects, who dispute the location of a telecommunication tower, approached members of the community who are working on the project, threatened them, and ordered them to stop working due to a dispute over the land.

The motive behind the incident is a long-standing land dispute between two parties over the location of the telecommunication tower.

During the confrontation, one of the suspects approaches and assaults one of the community workers who was looking after the project materials.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Choiseul Province Superintendent Berry Pogesopa said a formal complaint was lodged at Taro Police Station regarding the incident. Taro Police conducted a normal investigation, located the suspects, arrested them, and placed them in police custody at the police station.

PPC Pogesopa said all suspects were interviewed and bailed to appear before the Choiseul Magistrates’ Court on a later date for intimidation, contrary to section 231 (1) of the penal code, and common assault, contrary to section 244 of the penal code.

“Government projects must be respected, as they will connect the communities to the outside world. Despite the differences, I urge all good citizens to resolve these differences peacefully and allow such projects to progress without hindrances in our communities. Such conduct was seen as a hindrance for our development in our communities,” said PPC Pogesopa.

Mr. Pogesopa urges parties having disputes over customary land to refrain from taking laws into their own hands but to take grievances to the right authorities to deal with. Taking laws into your own hands will result in being dealt with by law, and you will face consequences of the law.

He said there are ways available, and I call on every good citizen to abide by the rule of law and to consider these venues when having disputes in our communities.

Investigation into the matter is continuing, and those having information that can assist police can contact Taro Police on phone 63199 or the police toll-freeline on phone 999