Minister for Lands, Ashneel Sudhakar says that he will have to check in his office for records before he can make any comments on claims that the state land that is being exchanged with India at Suva Botanical Gardens is an ancestral burial site.
Fijivillage contacted Sudhakar after three yavusa and 9 mataqali from Suvavou Village presented more than 1,000 signatures to the Suva City Council, objecting to the re‑zoning of part of the Botanical Garden for the construction of the Indian High Commission.
The villagers were led by Tui Suva’s younger brother, Solomoni Kinitavaki and other mataqali heads to present the petition.
The signed petition presented by the 3 yavusa and 9 mataqali from Suvavou Village today
Spokesperson for Tui Suva, Josefa Navara says they want this land to be left alone as it is their ancestral burial site adding that there are other places where government can allow the building of the Indian High Commission.
Navara says there are other places where government can allow the building of the Indian High Commission.
Navara says they are also being advised by SODELPA MPs Niko Nawaikula and Ro Filipe Tuisawau on what steps to take.
