The battle for whether Naulu falls within the province of Naitasiri or Rewa has reached Civil High Court in Suva.

Originating summons were issued yesterday by lawyer Ulamila Fa-Tuituku, of Law Solutions.

She is representing plaintiffs, Paula Nawiriwiri, who is the Turaga Ni Yavusa of the Yavusa Matanikorovatu of Kalabu Village in Naitasiri, and Kinisena Salamailgi, as representative of the descendants of Lavenia Kaloubula of Naulu, Kalabu.

The plaintiffs are seeking:

• A declaration that no traditional land belonging to the Province of Rewa can be located within the Province of Naitasiri
• A declaration that the land called Naulu sits within the boundary of the Province of Naitasiri
• An order ordering the first defendant which is iTaukei Lands and Fisheries Commission (a statutory body established under the Fijian Affairs Act) to conduct an inquiry into the traditional ownership of the land called Naulu
• An order restraining the second defendant which is iTaukei Lands Trust Board (a statutory body established under the Native Lands Act) from leasing or dealing with the land called Naulu until the final determination of this matter
• An order restraining the second defendant from paying lease monies for the land called Naulu to the third defendant which is Kini Raqoli (Raqoli as the Turaga Ni Mataqali Nakausoqo, Yavusa Naqavoka, Rewa) until the final determination of this matter
• An order for costs of this application
• Any further orders that the Court may deem just and equitable in the circumstances

The matter was called before Civil High Court Justice Brito Mutunayagam.

The iTaukei Lands Trust Board has been given time until October 12 to file their response on the summons.

The matter will be called for mention on October 28.

Edited By Ranoba Baoa.

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