Stoning, batons at airport

Press, 20 May 1987, Page 3

Stoning, batons at airport

By

BRENDON BURNS

in Suva While the hijacking drama was going on, the first violence seen since the coup broke out at Nandi Airport’s fence. Hundreds of mostly Indian demonstrators had gathered outside the airport as news of the hijacking emerged. • They milled round the entrance to the airport but the .police told them to move back from the drive leading to the airport terminals. The hijacked Air New Zealand aircraft was only about 250 metres away. The police drew their batons in order to push the crowd back.

After some scuffling the police began to use their batons. I saw a young Indian man carried from the scene by a distressed friend. The man was unconscious. - The crowd began to run from the police but after withdrawing about 200 metres from the airport entrance, they turned and charged back, picking up stones and throwing these at the half-dozen constables. At this point troops carrying automatic rifles began racing from the terminal area to assist the police. The crowd then withdrew. Having entered the terminal building and attempting to get to an

observation deck, I was arrested by the police. As I waited for release at the airport police station a number of alleged demonstrators were brought in and arrested as well. The depth of feeling in the Indian community in the sugar-growing district round Nandi was clearly visible yesterday on the 2^-hour drive from Suva. About eight villages on the road had erected hoardings with such statements as “We want Bavadra” and "We believe in democracy.” A solitary village mostly showing pro-Bavadra signs also had a single hoarding saying, “We support Rabuka.”