Madam Speaker, I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that, on 27 August 2024 at 16 00 hrs, the then Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage had organised a ceremony at Côte d’Or for the handing over of lease agreements of plots of State land to the Hindi Speaking Union, the Urdu Speaking Union, and the Mauritius Tamil Cultural Centre Trust.

17 It should be recalled that the ceremony was taking place at a time of high tension in the wake of the unilateral decision of the then government to retrieve the land that was originally leased to the Mauritius Tamil Cultural Centre Trust located at Réduit Triangle. This was done with the deliberate purpose of transferring the said land in favour of a company belonging to the Nundun Gopee Group to enable it to expand its business at Réduit Triangle for the setting up of a luxury retirement village. This was interpreted as a supreme insult by the Tamil community. On 27 August at around 15 50 hours, seven persons, in total conformity with the legislation pertaining to public gathering, were demonstrating at some distance from that location where the ceremony was taking place. Police arrested four of the seven demonstrators for the offence of ‘Rogue and Vagabond’. Three of the demonstrators, namely Mr M.G., Mr D.K. and Mr D.G. were brutally pulled from where they were standing and were brought to the Moka Central CID Office. One Mr H.N. was dragged by force and brutalised by Police in civil clothes. He was hurt when he was thrust to the ground. He was, thereafter, pushed violently into a police vehicle, with the Police taking no consideration at all of his protest to the effect that he had already been hurt. Mr H.N. got a malaise and had to be conveyed to Wellkin Fortis Clinic as a result of this. Madam Speaker, the enquiry into the case of ‘Rogue and Vagabond’ is ongoing. On 29 August 2024, Mr R.S. was provisionally charged with the offence of ‘Assault against agent of civil authority’ before Moka District Court. He was allowed bail after furnishing a surety of Rs8,000 and a recognizance of Rs30,000. Madam Speaker, in regard to part (a) of the question, I am informed that the Police Officers had recourse to the use of force against the demonstrators as according to them, the demonstrators were resisting their arrest. This was not the case; you can see it in the video. Even though the matter was videotaped and went viral on social media, the brutal acts committed by the Police were not enquired into by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

18 In regard to part (b) of the question, I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that as per records, no private bouncers were present during the protest at Côte d’Or on 27 August 2024.

Yes, happy? Alright! The hon. Second Member for Rodrigues! RODRIGUES – FCC SUB-OFFICE – CORRUPTION CASES