arrests

State police have arrested more than 2,400 people since Friday.

This includes husbands and relatives of alleged child brides, as well as priests who officiated the marriages.

BBC reports Opposition leaders have called the drive a "farce", alleging it disproportionately targets Muslims.

But Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma says that his government's "war" is against child marriage and doesn't target one community.

“I must make it very clear here that no one is above the law,” Commissioner Mostyn Mangau said.

Mr Mangau added “We are expected to live and make decisions within the principles of the rule of law regardless of our positions in our society. I therefore forewarned that if anybody is found in breach of such illegal activities, Police will not hesitate to arrest and deal with him/her.”

Moïse, 53, was fatally shot early on Wednesday (local time) at his home by what officials said was a group of foreign, trained killers, pitching the poorest country in the Americas deeper into turmoil amid political divisions, hunger and widespread gang violence.

Colombian Defence Minister Diego Molano said initial findings indicated that Colombians suspected of taking part in the assassination were ex-members of his country's armed forces, and pledged to support the investigations in Haiti.

All of the accused have been charged and will appear in court at a later date.

The arrests took place in eleven different locations in Tongatapu.

Police seized cannabis, methamphetamine, $6400 pa’anga cash, 645 bullets and drug utensils.

Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Tevita Vailea said the arrests show that those who are seeking to profit from the harm these drugs cause can continue to expect to be targeted by Police.

The Drug Enforcement Taskforce arrested a 50-year old man from Fangaloto and a 22-year-old woman from Nukunuku from their vehicles that were parked in front of a shop in town, and seized 144.98 grams of methamphetamine, 43.59 grams of cocaine and 12.76 grams of cannabis.

Following the first arrest on Tuesday the Drug Enforcement Taskforce also searched the residence of the accused at Fangaloto and seized 85.91 grams of cannabis and drug utensils.

Two of them have been charged, with one of them admitting to setting two fires to the conveyor belt which feeds ore to the coast for shipping to the SLN smelter in Noumea

The third suspect has been transferred to prison after he had been given a jail term of 18 months in June.

The arrests came only days after 15 trucks were destroyed in Kouaoua.

Earlier police had removed a blockade of the mining site which has been the scene of protracted disputes this year with a group opposed to expanded mining.

The Police Drug Taskforce executed three different search warrants which resulted in seizure of illicit drugs, illegal firearms and ammunition as well as cash.

On Monday, 14 May 2018 Police arrested a 34-year-old man from Lapaha with two packets of cannabis.

A search of his residence on Wednesday 16 May led Police to seizing a pistol gun, a shotgun, a rifle and 123 live ammunition.

Police arrested a 34-year-old-man from Hoi in Nuku’alofa with 0.47grams of methamphetamine on Wednesday 16 at around 10:00am

Police executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence in Malapo and seized 85 packs of cannabis, 4 packs of cannabis seeds, 1 bowl with cannabis leaves and 2 cannabis pot plants.

The Drug Taskforce earlier on Monday arrested a 27-year-old man from the CBD area with 1 pack of cannabis.

Acting Chief Superintendent Tevita Vailea said, “As demonstrated by this arrest by the Drug Taskforce, we are focused on capturing and prosecuting those responsible for the harm these destructive drugs cause to youths, families and our community.

The brawl came after days of heightened tension between Samoan and Tongan rugby league fans, ahead of their second round World Cup clash in Hamilton on Saturday.

Police say a crowd of up to 200 Samoan and Tongan fans gathered in a carpark near the Manukau Institute of Technology in Otara last night.

"It was major disorder", said Superintendent Sandra Manderson, the police national commander for major sporting events.

"Some people in the crowd were carrying poles and sticks... I believe there was also a machete taken off someone."

Groups of supporters of both rival nations were out in force in the suburb of Otahuhu during the Rugby League World Cup, and when they clashed the fight was captured on video. 

It shows two groups brawling in the middle of the road as cars drive past honking their horns. 

Police confirmed the incident on Tuesday night and said the four people arrested were Tongan supporters. 

Counties Manukau West Area Commander Inspector Naila Hassan urged fans to behave responsibly.