Prominent figure Surendra Lal has stated that Fijians of Indian descent in Labasa were specifically targeted during the coups. Speaking at the Truth and Reconciliation steering committee’s consultations in Labasa, Mr. Lal highlighted that these individuals faced threats and mistreatment, which has led to a lack of trust in the disciplined forces.
He noted that during the 1987 coups, canefarmers were particularly affected, being forcibly taken from town and made to walk barefoot to camps. Mr. Lal expressed that the affected individuals deserve an apology for their treatment by the forces, emphasizing that there has been no reconciliation offered to those impacted by the coups. “We have lost faith,” he remarked.
In reply, steering committee chairperson Sashi Kiran assured that the commission would be established to address grievances across all ethnicities and not just one group. She emphasized that all ethnic communities would have the opportunity to present their experiences to the commission. Ms. Kiran clarified that the focus of the process is on national reconciliation rather than individual issues.