House burnt & men injured as homeowners retaliate against Hatanga Company

 

TWO people have sustained injuries and a home burnt down early yesterday morning after a group of men vented their anger violently by storming Hatanga Limited premises at Tinge Ridge in west Honiara.

Another home was partly burnt, and a land cruiser smashed as angry men believed to be dominated by people from Temotu province armed with rocks, bows and arrows and iron bars stormed the premises causing damage to homes and properties.

An eye witness told Island Sun yesterday that one person from Hatanga side sustained severe injuries at the back of his head from rock throwing and was hospitalised.

These were homeowners said to be illegally settling on the land Hatanga Company claimed legal ownership over, and were retaliating after a home was burnt down early yesterday morning by an unknown group of people.

It was also believed the situation erupted following last week’s demolition exercise carried out by Hatanga to clear illegal settlers off its land at the Tinge Ridge area.

Members of the Police Response Team (PRT) aided by their counterparts from the Participating Police Force (PPF) were alerted to the scene and quickly brought the situation under control.

The paper was barred from entering the scene yesterday as police stationed multiple road blocks to prevent the situation from escalating.

Police Media Unit in a statement yesterday could not confirm any arrest in relation to the matter but said it is dealing with the situation.

“Police have engaged both parties in dialogue in an attempt to resolve the situation and ensure no further outbreaks of public disorder.

“Police are mounting an operation to provide increased security and patrols in the area overnight and tomorrow,” it says.

The statement said rocks were also thrown at an RSIPF fire truck attending to the burning house.

The police have also asked the public to remain calm and settle any disputes in a peaceful manner.

“Any person found carrying any weapons, inciting any violence, or taking the law into their own hands will not be tolerated by the police,” it said.

However, west Honiara constituency office yesterday pleads to the people of West Honiara, especially those living at Rock Valley and upper ridges of independence valley, to refrain from any unlawful activities that might bring harm to them or others, or lost or damage to properties.

West Honiara Constituency Development Officer (CDO), Brian Taupiri posted in Forum Solomon Islands International (FSII) and highlighted that West Honiara Constituency Office is currently engaged in full force to sort out this matter with Hatanga Company, the government, police, victims and other relevant organisations to address this issue.