A devastating event at the Savusavu Police Station has profoundly impacted a family and left the local community mourning. Marika Radua, a farmer hailing from Naviavia Settlement in Cakaudrove, lost his life on Tuesday following an alleged assault by a cellmate.
Radua’s family is urgently seeking answers from the authorities regarding the circumstances surrounding his death. He had been arrested earlier that day for an unspecified alleged offense and was in custody for nearly six hours. According to his aunt, Unaisi Solaila, her cousin, Samuela Male, visited Radua that morning and found him in a cell with two other detainees, one of whom was reportedly mentally challenged. Male recounted hearing Radua’s cries for help around 11 am but hesitated to act due to fears of potential consequences.
Tragically, police officers later emerged from the cell carrying Radua’s lifeless body. Solaila expressed her family’s sorrow, stating, “They treated him like rubbish,” indicating it was evident he had already passed away. As the family grapples with their loss, they are filled with troubling questions: What were the police doing during the alleged assault? Why was a mentally challenged individual sharing a cell with other detainees? And why did no one respond to Radua’s pleas for help?
Solaila reiterated the family’s frustration, questioning how such an incident could occur when individuals are expected to feel safe in police custody. This heartbreaking occurrence has ignited outrage within the community, leading to demands for significant changes in personnel at the Savusavu Police Station.
Shiu Shankar Singh, the special administrator of the Savusavu Town Council, expressed his concerns over police misconduct that he has repeatedly raised over the past few months without any action being taken. He emphasized the urgent need for steps to restore public trust in the police force.
In response to the incident, Acting Police Commissioner Juki Fong Chew has initiated an investigation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). The police acknowledged that Radua was allegedly assaulted by another detainee and reported that officers transported him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission has also voiced its apprehensions regarding the situation. Commission chairperson Pravesh Sharma highlighted that this incident brings to light crucial questions about the safety protocols enforced in police custody, reiterating that the state has a responsibility for those in custody.
As Radua’s family continues to cope with the tragic loss of a relative amid other hardships, such as recently losing their home to a fire, their grieving process is compounded by this unimaginable situation.
This incident not only raises significant concerns for police practices and the treatment of detainees, but also shines a light on the importance of community support during such trying times. It emphasizes the urgent need for systemic changes to prevent similar tragedies in the future, potentially fostering a safer and more accountable police environment for all citizens.
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