Brawl over betel nuts
The National, Thursday November 7th, 2013
A BRAWL over the sale of betel nuts at the Lareva market in the National Capital District prompted a two-day roadblock by locals on the Hiritano Highway in Central.
Central police commander Insp Laimo Asi said the roadblocks were an attempt to stop Highlanders from using the highway to buy betel nuts from Central. It was alleged that Highlanders had harassed some locals from Inaui village who tried to sell their bags of betel nuts at the Lareva market.
The angry locals returned to their village and set up the roadblock to stop the Highlanders from using the highway.
Asi said the roadblock that started on Monday ended yesterday after Central police requested locals to clear the highway.
He confirmed that locals illegally charged fees from people using the highway.
He appealed to vendors at the Lareva market to respect people from Central travelling into NCD to sell their betel nuts at designated areas.
“Buai ban is in National Capital District, not in Central province. It’s not proper to harass people trying to sell their betel nuts and mustard at Lareva or any other designated area,” he said.