A distressing incident at the Savusavu Police Station has left a family grieving the loss of a loved one and has shaken the community to its core. Marika Radua, a farmer from Naviavia Settlement in Cakaudrove, tragically passed away on Tuesday following an alleged assault by a fellow inmate.
The family is now seeking clarity and accountability from the authorities. Radua had been arrested early that day on an unspecified charge and was held in custody for nearly six hours. His aunt, Unaisi Solaila, reported that her cousin, Samuela Male, had visited Radua that morning and found him in a cell with two other detainees, one of whom was reportedly mentally challenged. Male claimed he heard Radua’s desperate cries for help around 11 AM but felt too afraid to intervene. Tragically, police officers later removed Radua’s lifeless body from the cell.
“It was evident he had already succumbed,” Ms. Solaila lamented on the treatment her cousin received. The family is left grappling with critical questions: Where were the police during the alleged assault? How could a mentally challenged individual be placed in a cell with others? And why were Radua’s cries for assistance ignored?
The community’s outrage has grown, with many calling for significant changes within the Savusavu Police Station. Shiu Shankar Singh, the special administrator for Savusavu Town Council, emphasized concerns about police misconduct that he has raised for months without resolution. He urged immediate actions to restore public confidence and enforce professional standards at the station.
In response to this tragedy, the Acting Police Commissioner, Juki Fong Chew, has initiated a Criminal Investigations Department (CID) investigation. The police confirmed that Radua had been allegedly assaulted and was rushed to the hospital but was sadly pronounced dead upon arrival. The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission has also weighed in, with chairperson Pravesh Sharma stating that the incident highlights serious concerns regarding safety protocols within police custody, emphasizing the state’s responsibility to protect those in their care.
Adding to the family’s heartache is the recent loss of their home in a fire, making the circumstances surrounding Radua’s death even more devastating.
This tragic event underscores the critical need for improved oversight and care within the police system, and it serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of accountability in law enforcement to ensure the safety and dignity of all individuals in custody. As the investigation unfolds, there is hope that it will lead to meaningful reforms that will prevent such tragedies from occurring again in the future.
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