THE organiser of an aborted march from Lautoka to Suva, to try to get the
hostages in Parliament released, said this is a temporary setback. Ben
Padarath, son of former Minister for Women Lavenia Padarath who is in the
hostage group, said though the march was cancelled yesterday he will
organise a another one soon and follow the proper procedures.
"I was advised to call off the march by the Divisional Police Commander
Western SSP Eroni Antonio because there was no permit for the march," he
said.
"The Army Commander Western Lieutenant Colonel Henry Manulevu also
advised me to call of the march for safety reasons. "He told me that there
were
some people somewhere around who were planning to cause problems while
the march is on. "I have planned to have the march on June 19 and have
applied for the permit from the police and the military.
"After one of George Speight's supporters, Timoci Silatolu, indicated
during
the Close Up TV programme on Sunday that it may be a while before the
hostages are released, it has been agony for the family of the hostages and
the
country at large. "The march is also for the silent and suffering majority
of
people who oppose the actions of George Speight.
"It is also an opportunity for the people of Fiji to show their concerns
about
the deteriorating political situation which has led to job losses, devaluation
of
their hard earned dollars, international sanctions, poverty and increase in
crime." Senior Superintendent Antonio said the police refused to allow
the
march because Mr Padarath did not have a permit and police did not know
what else might happen while the march was in progress.
"We don't know what are the motives of all those people attending the
march,
some may take advantage and things like May 19 might happen again," he
said. Colonel Manulevu said he advised Mr Padarath to call off the march
because some people were planning to interfere with the march and cause
problems.
Fiji's Daily Post
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