BRIEF: Bainimarama May Reinstall Checkpoints

SUVA, Fiji - Fijilive is reporting that Interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has said that he will consider setting up a network of military checkpoints and police patrols in order to suppress the crime rate in Fiji.  Bainimarama has said on many occasions since assuming power that a reduction in crime is his highest priority.  His primary concerns are allegations of increased home invasion, violent robberies of taxi drivers, sacrilege (predominently against Hindu temples) and  "the perceived rise in crime following the removal of soldiers from the check-points". 

The concern over a rising crime rate was also used as a partial justification for reinstituting the Public Emergency Regulations.  Throughout Bainimarama has insisted that, "The home owners want the soldiers on the street; the families want the soldiers on the streets but you guys (media) don’t."  These rationale have brought Bainimarama into conflict with several Fijian NGOs (see Impunity Watch's coverage of this story here).

Bainimarama will make his decision about reviving military checkpoints after meeting with the newly appointed head of the Fiji Police Force Esala Teleni.  Teleni, who had been police commissioner for a little over four months, was installed into his new capacity today.

For more information, please see:
Fiji Live - PM wants more checkpoints - 19 September 2007

Pacific Magazine (Fiji Live) - Military Checkpoints May Be Reinstated - 20 September 2007

Fiji Times - Police to formally welcome Teleni - 21 September 2007

Fiji Times - Sacrilege drops the faith - 21 September 2007