POLICE DENY FTUC PERMIT FOR MARCH, RALLY

Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC) has been denied a permit to hold a march and rally through Suva City tomorrow. Approval was denied by the Police yesterday.

Police Chief of Operations Assistant Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu said that the decision and justifications to deny the request were relayed to the applicant.

FTUC general secretary Felix Anthony said he received a letter from the Police stating that the application had been rejected.

Mr Anthony said this was a denial of the constitutional right to protest, assembly and freedom of speech. “The excuse that they (Police) have used is that they were still investigating me. This is just a very lame excuse and any investigation against me will not in any way prejudice; or the march, will not in any way prejudice the investigations.”

He said people’s constitutional rights were being denied and questioned why it took the police nine weeks to come up with an excuse.

“They basically said to us the other day they (Police) were waiting for Suva City Council to give its approval and if the Police knew that they were going to reject it why did they bother the council?” he questioned.

Mr Anthony said FTUC members would now have to consider the next steps to take.

ACP Tudravu said Police would not be making further comments on the matter.

LOSIRENE LACANIVALU Edited by George Kulamaiwasa