A peaceful march organised by young people in Fiji to celebrate creation ended abruptly after police officers stepped in to stop the rally in Suva last weekend.
.. Photo: Facebook
Organisers told local media police also removed their banners.
They say the youths wanted to show their support for the Fijian COP26 delegation in Glasgow.
Rally organiser Atelemo Laticakaudrove said there was 'miscommunication' with the Suva City Council which had granted them the green light to proceed with the march along the footpath at the park.
But police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said no permit was issued by police and they had to disperse those gathered.
Police have said no application had been made to police with regards to a march and, as such, no permit had been granted.
Police said senior church members present at the march were informed that any permit for a public march had to be issued by police in consultation with the FRA (Fiji Roads Authority) and the respective municipal council.
"The issue was the permit as there was none issued by Police," Naisoro said.
"This was relayed to the senior members present that a permit for a march is issued by Police in consultation with FRA and the relevant municipal council."
Fijian MP Lenora Qereqeretabua Photo: Supplied
Meanwhile, the opposition said the decision by police to disperse the March for Creation by youths of the Columban Society of the Catholic Church in support of the Government's participation at COP26 'made no sense at all'.
Opposition slams police action
In a statement, National Federation Party vice-president Lenora Qereqeretabua said "the hypocrisy of the FijiFirst Government is unbelievable".
"Frank Bainimarama and Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum give speeches in Glasgow against climate change. But young people in Fiji are not allowed to march and show their support for the same thing," Qereqeretabua said.
She said last Saturday was a day of action for young people all over the world to rally and demand climate justice. More than 50,000 young climate warriors marched in Glasgow, calling on world leaders to act now to save the planet.
"In hundreds of places across the world, young people turned out in support," Qereqeretabua said.
"But not in Fiji. Why? Because the police said they needed a permit from the Fiji Roads Authority to march on the footpath.
"Young people are already frustrated with this Government for failing to address their concerns.
"And now, even when they try to speak up on the same side as the government, they are stopped."
Both Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and Climate Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, who attended COP26, have yet to respond to RNZ Pacific's requests for comment.
.. Photo: Facebook/Holy Family Parish