Police now handling case of protest that took place in Tamavua Village yesterday

Police are now handling the case of the protest that took place in Tamavua Village on Tuesday.

This has been confirmed by Tamavua Village chief Ratu Kalokalo Loki.

Ratu Kalokalo has refused to give further comments on the issue.

When asked about the claims made by protesters saying that they were protesting against part of the village land allegedly being given away without their prior consent that the lease was for 99 years, Ratu Kalokalo says that Police are handling everything.

Meanwhile, the iTaukei Land Trust Board has made it clear that nothing sinister is going on as far as the leasing of the land at Tamavua Village is concerned.

TLTB Chief Executive Officer Tevita Kuruvakadua has denounced claims made by a group of protesters, which also included Peter Waqavonovono and Sam Savu and some members of the SODELPA Youth Group.

The CEO of iTaukei Land Trust Board also says they have done three rounds of consultations with the landowners in the presence of TLTB before the lease was given out.

Kuruvakadua says in fact the 10 year development lease for the land has been issued to Tamavua Village chief, Ratu Kalokalo Loki and the yavusa company.

He says that the development lease was previously issued to Elshadai.

That company was owned by Ratu Kalokalo’s sisters.

Kuruvakadua says the earlier development lease expired after 10 years and there was still no development.

Earlier this year the yavusa company and Ratu Kalokalo were issued the development lease for 10 years this year. The company’s name is Tamsville Limited.

The TLTB CEO stresses that due process was followed and an offer was then made to Ratu Kalokalo and the yavusa company.

The group of people holding a public protest near Tamavua Village were taken in for questioning by Police yesterday.

ACP Qiolevu says the Police Officers warned the protesters not to take matters in their own hands and they were dispersed peacefully.

He says they have also asked the group to follow the legal processes available to them.