FIGHTING broke out last Friday over disagreement on logging rights between neighbouring tribes of Paradise and Temarae villages in North New Georgia.
The incident did not record any casualty however local sources who were inside the region said tribal members armed with spears, axes, knives and stone, were involved.
They reported stormed the proposed log pond (logging site) at Kurilolu, an old village site left vacant nearly 200 years ago.
Reports from a reliable source said the fighting almost resulted in the factions silted each other’s throat.
The incident came as election officials from Gizo were in the region to put election notice.
They left Temarae village in a hurry after being informed of the incident which happened earlier in the day. The officials took off to conduct their tour of duty.
Police are in the region to further investigate the incident which came about following disagreement over logging rights between the disputing parties who are from the same tribal groups who earlier this year were in Gizo for a Timber Rights hearing on the proposed logging on customary land called Gamese, which is not inside the jurisdiction of the North New Georgia Timber Corporation Act, which governed several traditional land in that part of New Georgia that has been conducting logging over many years.
The region has large members of the Christian Fellowship Church, a movement which broke away from the old Methodist mission back in early 60s but still perform old Methodist practice under the name Etoism.
Lately this movement has broken up as well, creating two separate lines.
One group is called CFC -A.
They command a huge majority. And the remainder and more opened lot but very big in numbers are called CFC-B.
Paradise village was used to be a central location before the movement broke up. Paradise is made up of CFC B members, while Temarae village is largely CFC A members.
The warring factions are largely from the same fold and they are not necessarily related but very close relatives and everyone is connected from the same tribal background.
The issue could spiral into an A and B conflict once the heart of the problem which is on logging rights is suppressed and failed to be given a good investigation and prosecution in good time.
Police sources in Gizo confirmed their senior officers are in the region to try finding a way out.
Meanwhile, the election headquarters in Gizo is treating the matter very seriously and is advising its officials on assignment in the northern region to be vigilant and avoid getting caught in the dispute.
By Brian Beti
in Gizo