22 Apr 2009

Tonga renews emergency regulations for capital

2:28 pm on 22 April 2009

The Tonga Government has extended for another month emergency regulations first put in place in the capital Nuku'alofa after riots nearly two and a half years ago.

The regulations, which give the police and military extraordinary powers, apply to a specified zone in the heart of the city.

A government official says they have been advised by the security forces to continue with the controls.

The government has never been willing to reveal the nature of the threat in the area, but the Police Minister, Siaosi 'Aho, says the restrictions will last until the people living in the controlled zone feel safe.