5 injured, houses damaged as armed Samlimsan workers attack community at Henderson
A group believed to be working with a Malaysian logging company, Samlimsan (S.I) Limited as security have raided Motorpool community at Henderson, Central Guadalcanal on Sunday morning.
A community member, John Malataovio said the people were under the influence of alcohol and armed with knives, baseball bats and timbers.
Malataovio said they arrived in a three tonne truck without the knowledge of the community and destroyed more than six houses, injured five people and looted food and belongings in the canteens and homes.
He said the group attacked the community following an argument between some drunken youths and their company members on Saturday night.
“The drunkards youths do not stay in the community but normally come to visit their relatives.
“They exchanged abusive words with the security officers of Samlimsan company. However, some elders in the community intervened and sorted out the issue,” Malataovio said.
He said the community thought the situation had been resolved but to their shock, a three tonne truck arrived with many people in the morning and destroyed their properties and assaulted people.
Malataovio said the community was saved from further damage following an intervention by Nine Salachapa People Association.
“The chairman and board members of the association talked to the group and they calmed down.
“The dispute was resolved at Henderson police station, awaiting reconciliation,” he said.
Malataovio said reconciliation is planned for this Thursday to resolve the issue.
However, he called on police to arrest some workers of Samlimsan who are still at large following the incident.
Island Sun contacted Samlimsan company yesterday and its officer said they are not aware of the story and cannot make further comments.
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) media said police is currently investigating the incident and cannot make further comments as well.
Meanwhile, in 2018, workers of Samlimsan also destroyed eight houses following a row on a land at Henderson.
Samlimsan claimed the settlers occupied a land it has a title over.
