Corpun file 22577

Fiji Times, Suva, 16 August 2010

Drug farmers face the cane

By Serafina Silaitoga

Click to enlarge

ANY villager found cultivating marijuana in a district of the Northern Division will be punished by spanking despite the age group.

The village law recently introduced at Visoqo Village in Namuka, Macuata, was launched in conjunction with the youth program that aims to stop youths from engaging in criminal activities, including drug-related issues.

Visoqo Village spokesman Jone Waisele said the villagers had accepted the rule.

"The youths have already presented their i soro to Tui Namuka, Uate Saviri, asking for his forgiveness for all the wrong done over past years," he said.

"They also vowed that they will not have any more drug cultivation in the district of Namuka or to entertain other criminal activities.

"The youths know that when they entertain criminal activities and cultivate drugs, and having police arrest them, it brings a bad image to this vanua so we have put up this rule to deter them," Mr Waisele said.

He said anyone found guilty of cultivating drugs would be spanked three times.

"If the parents want to present a i soro to the village and Tui Namuka, that will also be accepted but it will not prevent spanking.

"The reconciliation will be accepted for the sake of keeping the peace in the village among the villagers," Mr Waisele said.

Follow-up: 2 December 2010- Bua chief enforces spanking

Other months for judicial CP in Fiji:
August 2001
October 2001
March 2002
October 2004
May 2005
February 2008
May 2010