BY MORRIS NAFU
Community leaders of Milestone settlement behind Borderline area in East Honiara have acted to ensure peace following the alleged murder of a young man over the weekend.
The killing occurred at Jacob’s Ladder in the Milestone area within the vicinity of Mamulele in east Honiara.
Community elders came forward with cash money of $10,000 along with one Malaita shell Money (tafuliae) and Kwaio shell Money (Ba’aniu) believing the killers are from Kwaio district in Malaita Province.
The suspects’ representatives said the money presented was only a “peace money” to ease the tense situation between both parties with reconciliation and compensation will be further discussed after police completes its investigation.
The community elders expressed their regret and sympathy to the deceased’s family and relatives saying they support police to hold those involved to face the law.
“On behalf of the Milestone community and the people of Kwaio we regret to see this inhuman action taking the life of an innocent young man as we plead for the people of Makira and the relatives of the deceased to accept our sincere apology,” the elders said.
“We understand that words cannot take back the life of the young man but we ask your forgiveness and we promise to help the police in whatever we can to put those involve to face the full force of the law.”
In response, Member for East Makira and the Minister of Agriculture Franklyn Derek Wasi accepted the peace offering while expressing the deep loss faced by the family and demanded full force of the law to be taken against those involved in the killing.
“We don’t demand for any amount but we accept anything you offer as life is worth more than anything.
“All we need now is justice to be served for the loss of our young man,” he said.
The money was accepted by Wasi along with Member of Parliament for West Makira and Minister of Mines and Energy Derrick Rawcliff Manuari along with relatives of the deceased.
The ceremony was conducted at the central Police station with the Naha Police commander mediating the ceremony.
Police media however confirmed the police have taken steps into the issue with five suspects arrested on May 17, among them a female. Another two suspects are still at large.
Assistant Commissioner (AC) of Crime and Intelligence Patricia Leta said the Serious Crime Unit under the National Criminal Investigation Department (NCID), supported by Naha police, is investigating the murder incident.
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