Police in Kirakira, Makira Ulawa Province have arrested an elderly man for damaging a vehicle at the Ngarihau settlement in Central Makira on 6 February 2018.
The vehicle is owned by Chia Tai Logging Company currently operating in Central Makira.
“It is alleged that the incident occurred as a result of a disagreement over benefits of the logging operation,” says Provincial Police Commander, Makira Ulawa Province, Superintendent Peter Sitai.
“The accused was arrested and charged for a count of wilful and unlawful damage and will appear before the court later this month,” says PPC Sitai.
He adds: “Logging related issues are a concern for policing in the Makira Ulawa Province. While we are trying to address these issues, I want to appeal to the resource owners to use our traditional way of settling such issues rather than resorting to criminal acts.”
PPC Sitai says, “I appeal to the good people of Makira Ulawa Province, not to resort to violence when such issues arise but to settle the matter in a reasonable manner.”