Landowners grilled by Police over hydro dam protest
“The arrests were made under the Public Order Act. Additional individuals are expected to be questioned at a later date, though no specific timeline has been provided.
Friday 07 February 2025 | 17:32
Three landowners from Namosi were questioned by police yesterday over an alleged protest held on village grounds by villagers opposing the construction of a hydro dam on a river near their village.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Crime (ACP) Mesake Waqa yesterday confirmed that the trio from Navunikabi Village was taken into police custody for questioning.
The lawyer acting on behalf of the three, Nemani Tuifagalele, said they were taken from the village on Wednesday morning in connection with the alleged unlawful protest in Navunikabi Village on September 28, 2024.
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“Three individuals (two men and a woman) were taken to Navua Police Station for questioning,” Mr Tuifagalele said.
“The woman was interviewed and released on Wednesday, while the two men were held overnight and continued their interviews until this morning (yesterday) before being released,” he said.
“The arrests were made under the Public Order Act. Additional individuals are expected to be questioned at a later date, though no specific timeline has been provided.
“The police have taken statements, but have not yet laid any charges, as a decision is pending after all interviews are completed.”
LAMA
Meanwhile, Namosi landowners committee ‘Lomani Au Maroroi Au’ (LAMA) chairperson Sipiriano Nariva yesterday expressed dissatisfaction regarding the recent apprehension of three of their members by Police officers at the Navua Police Station.
“LAMA strongly questions the reasoning behind their questioning by Police, as they were merely endeavouring to protect their land through the conduct of the peaceful protest in Navunikabi Village,” Mr Nariva said.
“The members of LAMA were peacefully standing up for their rights to safeguard their land and their people. The requirement for a permit in such a context is perplexing and unjustified,” he said.
“LAMA stands firm in its belief that the protection of one’s land and people should not be criminalised. The right to protect one’s land and people is enshrined in various international legal frameworks, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).”
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