A violent altercation between a settler and a Kira Kira resident on a Route 17 bus from Manu to the village entrance escalated into a broader community confrontation yesterday afternoon.
The dispute began around 3:45pm and quickly turned physical, with the settler allegedly stabbing the local man three times in the right arm. In retaliation, the injured man pursued the attacker to the second speed hump, prompting other Kira Kira youths to join the chase towards the bus stop.
The Sabama community became inadvertently drawn into the clash and, in self-defence, began throwing stones. The situation threatened to spiral until swift action by Councillor Hon. BDH, the Kira Kira Task Force, and the Sabama Community Task Force, along with a prompt police response, brought the confrontation under control.
Community intelligence later confirmed that the suspect resides in the Romote area along Pari Road — not Sabama — making the stone-throwing between Sabama and Kira Kira unnecessary.
An agreement was reached with Sabama leaders to restore normalcy today. The case will be registered with CID, and police are expected to arrest and charge the suspect with attempted murder within 24 to 48 hours.
The Kira Kira Task Force has urged restraint, instructing residents not to enter Romote or provoke further violence, warning instead that anyone posing a threat to community safety will face immediate eviction.
Police and community task forces remain in close contact to ensure the suspect is taken into custody and tensions do not reignite.