Copra farmer loses home due to land dispute

A 74-year copra farmer at Cape Quiros, North East Santo lost two houses in a fire following land disputes over the weekend.

The Police Northern Command confirmed the incident, saying the farmer also lost VT1.4 million in cash money in the fire.

VBTC understands the dispute was sparked when alleged offenders sold 1600 hectares of the farmer’s land to a Chinese man and issued threats for him to leave the land.

The alleged offenders also damaged a third house belonging to the farmer’s grandson.

Vanuatu Police Northern Command officers attended the scene over the weekend and confirmed the damage.

Police urged people in the area to remain calm and not take the law into their own hands, and to allow police to investigate.