On October 12, 1989, forty villagers from Suvavou took control of a cement block-making factory in Lami. The villagers blocked all entrances to the factory and an adjacent truck depot, asserting that D Narayan Industries owed them over $1,400 in land rent. They set up barricades and established a tent outside the factory office where they gathered to drink yaqona while guards were stationed at the gates.
Metui Mudunavosa, a spokesperson for the Tui Suva, explained that the villagers decided to take action after multiple complaints to the Native Land Trust Board (NLTB) went unresolved. He stated, “We complained four times to the NLTB that land rent for 1988 and 1989 had not been paid but nothing was done.” After a meeting with NLTB officials, they were told the company would receive an eviction notice, but this response was deemed inadequate by the villagers.
Mudunavosa claimed that D Narayan Industries was illegally occupying the land, as it had not been leased to them. He noted, “The land was leased to D Narayan Brothers Limited in the 1970s, but that company went bankrupt and the factory was closed.” The NLTB had been aware for over two years that rent was not being received by the landowners, yet no action was taken. The land is roughly one hectare in size and was originally leased in December 1970 but had since changed ownership through various mortgages.
The villagers also accused the company of unlawfully sub-leasing land to a trucking firm. According to Mudunavosa, the trucking company owner visited the village and revealed he was paying $800 monthly in rent, having also prepaid six months’ rent totaling $4,800. Mudunavosa expressed their frustrations, saying, “It is grossly unfair that we should be paid $700 a year, a payment that is not even being made, when this company illegally sub-leases part of the land for $800 a month.”
The villagers reported that the area occupied by D Narayan Industries exceeded what had originally been leased to them. After unsuccessful attempts to get NLTB assistance, they resolved to occupy the factory. One villager named Joe declared, “We will not be moved from our ancestors’ land.” Mudunavosa added that the Suvavou villagers were prepared to take legal action to reclaim their land and seek overdue rent.
During a visit by reporters to the site, villagers were seen in consultations with D Narayan Industries’ owner and his lawyer.