An exchange of gunfire was reported near the Parliament Complex this
afternoon between the Army and George Speight’s supporters, resulting in
five
people being injured.
The five, who were all supporters of George Speight included three civilians
and
two members of the First Meridian Squadron.
Reports received by the Military says that soldiers from the Engineer Battalion
were playing touch rugby at the Pacific Theological Grounds (PTC) when the
mob, numbering approximately 250, left the complex and proceeded towards
these men, carrying cane knives and digging forks.
The soldiers ran towards a Military position adjacent to the PTC, which was
being manned by soldiers from the 3FIR.
Reports from a senior officer, who was on the scene, said one of the First
Meridian soldiers had a pistol aimed at one of the soldiers, resulting in a
shot
being fired by one of the soldiers at the position hitting him on his left shoulder.
Soldiers based at the Government Training Centre, carried out a sweeping
move towards the areas after shots were fired from Battery Hill. They returned
fire resulting in the wounding of the other five.
Timoci Silatolu called the Military for a cease-fire later to effect the evacuation
of
the wounded to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital for treatment.
The situation, as far as the Military is concerned, is safe and the area secure.
The soldiers remained firm in their commitment to secure the area and their
conduct during the whole incident was very professional.
Over 10 people are being detained by the soldiers to be handed over to the
Police in due course.
-end-
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