Ednal Palmer
HONIARA: The Black Tuesday riots may have long gone, but the consequences of that catastrophic day are still vivid.
What happened that Tuesday in April 2006 was yesterday flashed back into the minds of many people.
But the police's prompt response and effective strategies quelled the failed assault on the city and Chinatown.
The people of Solomon Islands themselves suffered as a result of the 2006 riot, which was evident yesterday when they assisted police instead of joining, chucking out the criminal elements from their hiding in Chinatown.
It all started when news broke out from the high court that fisheries minister Jimmy Lusibaea had been sentenced to two years and nine months in prison.
The angry mob, believed to be supporters of the now disqualified MP, moved through the city like a tsunami wave.
They left behind as they moved only a wee trail of damage.
Police have been preparing for yesterday's sentencing of the former fisheries minister.
The deputy police commissioner Walter Kola last week said they were prepared for yesterday based on minor threats received.
"We seriously consider threats big or small, so we will be on alert on Tuesday (yesterday)," Mr Kola said last week.
He said they received information that some people were planning to stage a riot when Mr Lusibaea would be sentenced.
Yesterday the city was at the brink of another calamity, if not for the police's prompt response and tireless efforts in containing the movement.
The mob reached Chinatown before midday but police arrived immediately and took position at all access roads.
At about 2pm police closed down on the mob who retaliated by slinging stones at police and shops.
Locked in the Chinatown area, police moved easily in but the mob dissolved between the shops.
Tear gasses was then fired, which forced them out from hiding.
Police with the assistance of a large crowd who interestingly watched the incident, identified youths involved.
While police continued with their waves of arrests, the crowd continued to boo the the culprits.
Members of both the RSIPF and PPF who were there expressed deep appreciation for the crowd's behavior.
The incident was later contained and brought under control at about 3pm yesterday.
However police continued to impose roadblocks to ensure everything was safe late in the afternoon and into the night.
The April 2006 riot which was sparked by the election of Snyder Rini as the Prime Minister left widespread damage and all Chinatown shops were looted and burnt to the ground.
- Solomon Star / Pacific Media Centre