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Illustration of Family Demands Answers after Tragic Death in Police Cell

Tragedy Strikes as Police Custody Raises Alarming Questions

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A devastating event at Savusavu Police Station has left a family mourning and the local community reeling in disbelief. Marika Radua, a farmer from the Naviavia Settlement in Cakaudrove, tragically passed away on Tuesday following an alleged assault by a fellow inmate.

In the wake of this heart-wrenching incident, Radua’s family seeks transparency and accountability from law enforcement. Radua had been arrested earlier that day for an unspecified offense and was held for nearly six hours. According to his aunt, Unaisi Solaila, a relative named Samuela Male visited him that morning, discovering Radua confined with two others, one of whom was reportedly mentally challenged. Male reported hearing Radua’s cries for help around 11 am but hesitated to act out of fear for his own safety.

An hour later, police officers transported Radua’s lifeless body from the cell. “They treated him like rubbish,” Ms. Solaila recalled, visibly distraught. “It was clear he had already died.”

The family is left grappling with profound questions about the events that transpired: Where were the police during the alleged attack? Why was a mentally challenged individual placed in the same cell as other detainees? What prevented Radua’s cries for help from being answered?

Expressing their frustration, Ms. Solaila emphasized that people should feel safe while in police custody. “How could this happen?”

The tragedy has ignited outrage within the community, prompting calls for significant changes at the Savusavu Police Station. Shiu Shankar Singh, the special administrator for Savusavu Town Council, has vocalized his concerns. “For months, I’ve raised issues about police misconduct in Savusavu, but nothing has changed. This is a serious problem,” he remarked, advocating for urgent measures to rebuild public trust and uphold professional standards.

In response to the incident, Acting Police Commissioner Juki Fong Chew has initiated an investigation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). The police have reported that Radua was assaulted by another detainee and that, despite officers’ efforts to rush him to the hospital, he was pronounced dead.

The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission has also expressed serious concerns over this incident. Commission chairperson Pravesh Sharma stated, “This incident raises critical questions about safety protocols within police custody. The State is responsible for those held in custody.”

Radua’s family, having recently lost their home to a fire, now faces the heart-wrenching challenge of mourning a beloved family member under such tragic circumstances. This incident serves as a crucial reminder of the need for systemic changes in law enforcement practices to ensure the safety and dignity of all individuals in custody.

In the face of tragedy, the community’s call for reform might lead to positive changes that enhance police accountability and support the wellbeing of those in custody. It’s a moment for reflection and action to prevent such heartbreaking events from occurring in the future.


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