Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran has revealed that some Indo-Fijian organisations were reluctant to assist families who fled Muaniweni following the 2000 coup.
Testifying before the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission yesterday, Ms Kiran recalled the difficulties faced in finding shelter for displaced families who had initially taken refuge at a school.
“The Indian community was so divided, if I may say,” she told the Commission.
“Indian organisations were not willing to step up. Fiji Girmit Council was not willing to step up.”
Ms Kiran said many of the organisations were led by businesspeople who were concerned about the possible impact of becoming involved.
“Because most of the Indian organisations are run by business people, and they didn’t want to be impacted.”
She recalled that arrangements were eventually made for the displaced families to move into the Girmit Centre.
Ms Kiran said she remained at the centre for six weeks, helping families who had been forced to leave their homes.
However, she said community support began to grow within weeks.
“Within a couple of weeks, it gained a lot of support. So, food started coming, and a lot of people supported it.”
She said she could not recall the exact number of people who had sought refuge at the centre because the events had occurred 26 years ago.
“I can’t tell you the numbers, I can’t remember the numbers right now. Twenty-six years ago.”
Ms Kiran said she had maintained contact with many of the displaced families, some of whom had since migrated overseas while others returned and rebuilt their lives in Fiji.
“I have remained in touch with many who have moved out of the country. Some returned and resettled their lives.”
She told the Commission that the trauma experienced by those affected had not disappeared.
“I have talked to people who remain traumatised from that time.”
Ms Kiran said volunteers and other supporters eventually came forward to assist the displaced families before she returned to her work at the Fiji Council of Social Services.
