6 Feb 2018

Call for more information about Fiji temple attacks

7:46 am on 6 February 2018
Hindu temple, Nadi, Fiji.

Hindu temple, Nadi, Fiji. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades

The opposition in Fiji is calling on the police commissioner to inform the public on the status of investigations into attacks on Hindu temples.

The Tirath Dham temple in Nadi was vandalised just before Christmas and there have been other attacks on temples near Suva, the latest just last month.

The desecration included graffiti inciting racial hatred, paint poured on idols and donation boxes stolen.

The shadow minister of defence Mosese Bulitavu said the commissioner, Sitiveni Qiliho, needed to tell the people how many arrests, if any, have been made.

Mr Bulitavu said the opposition was also disappointed that the commissioner has agreed to address a meeting of the ruling Fiji First Party in relation to the attacks.

He said the address would compromise the independence of the commissioner's office.

Last week, the attorney general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said politicians had either added fuel to the fire or stayed silent over the attacks.

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