17 Nov 2011

Civil society groups and MPs may have been involved in riot, says Solomon Islands police

7:28 pm on 17 November 2011

Solomon Islands police are disallowing any congregation of people in public in Honiara as tight security is maintained after Wednesday's rioting.

Life is returning to normal in the capital after hundreds of protestors opposed to the parliamentary election of Gordon Darcy Lilo as Prime Minister went on a rampage in central Honiara.

Police have been praised for their swift efforts in dispersing the rioters and quelling the unrest.

The police deputy commissioner of operations, Nathaniel Mosese, says an investigation is underway.

"There's indications of some leaders of civil society groups and there's even evidence of some members of parliament inciting the protest. So it was coming anyway, all throughout the last couple of months, and it eventuated yesterday."

Nathaniel Mosese

Police have reportedly arrested up to 22 people in relation to the incident.