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Clash averted between police & Magiagi villagers

A confrontation between the Police and Magiagi villagers was averted yesterday. Over 100 Police officers accompanied three Electric Power Corporation (EPC) workers sent to read the electricity meters at homes in Magiagi.They had just completed reading meters in about four homes when unhappy villagers approached. According to a senior Police Officer, untitled men and women moved towards them and started to throw stones.Some yelled at the Police to get out of the village.It was then that Police Commissioner, Lilomaiava Fou Taioalo, whose wife is from Magiagi, ordered the reading of meters to stop so he could talk to the Village Council.Lilomaiava was accompanied by other senior members of the Police Force during the meeting with the Village Council.Meanwhile, the Police contingent was ordered to stay where they were.When the Samoa Observer arrived, the Police were camped near the house of Member of Parliament, Lenata’i Victor Tamapua. They were unarmed.About an hour and a half later, the Police contingent received an order from Lilomaiava to return to the station in Apia.Speaking to the Samoa Observer late yesterday, Assistant Police Commissioner, Le’aupepe Fatu Pula said the Police and the village agreed for the meter reading to continue under the condition that the Police contingent be removed.