A devastating incident at the Savusavu Police Station has shaken a family and the local community to its core. Marika Radua, a farmer from Naviavia Settlement in Cakaudrove, tragically lost his life after reportedly being beaten by a fellow inmate.
Radua was taken into custody early Tuesday for an alleged offense and was held for nearly six hours. His aunt, Unaisi Solaila, revealed that Radua’s cousin, Samuela Male, had visited him on that fateful morning. Male noticed Radua was confined in a cell with two other men, one of whom was reportedly mentally challenged. According to Male, he heard Radua’s cries for help around 11 a.m. but was too afraid to intervene. Tragically, police officers removed Radua’s lifeless body from the cell an hour later.
“They treated him like rubbish,” recounted Ms. Solaila, highlighting the family’s anguish as they grapple with the questions surrounding Radua’s death. Concerns have been raised about the fundamental responsibility of police to ensure the safety of individuals in their custody. The family is rightfully challenging why a mentally challenged person was placed in the same cell and calling for accountability regarding the lack of response to Radua’s cries for help.
The incident has ignited public outrage, leading to demands for a thorough review of the personnel at Savusavu Police Station. Shiu Shankar Singh, the special administrator for Savusavu Town Council, reiterated that he has been raising concerns about police misconduct for months, urging for immediate reforms to restore public confidence and professional standards in the law enforcement agency.
In response to the public outcry, Acting Police Commissioner Juki Fong Chew has ordered an investigation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). An official statement from the police indicated that Radua was allegedly assaulted by another detainee and that authorities promptly attempted to transport him to the hospital, where he was declared dead.
The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission has also weighed in on the matter. Chairperson Pravesh Sharma emphasized the importance of safety protocols within police custody, asserting that the State has a duty to protect those it detains.
As the Radua family copes with the grief of having recently lost their home in a fire, the pain of losing a loved one in such tragic circumstances is profound. The community’s call for justice and reform not only seeks accountability but also aims to ensure that such an incident does not happen again in the future.
This troubling situation serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for oversight and reform within law enforcement to protect the vulnerable. It is hoped that the investigation will bring about necessary changes, allowing the community to heal and regain trust in its police force.
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