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Illustration of Family Demands Answers after Tragic Death in Police Cell

Tragedy Strikes: Family Demands Justice After Police Custody Death

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

Radua was arrested early that day for an unspecified offense and held in custody for nearly six hours. His aunt, Unaisi Solaila, reported that a family member, Samuela Male, visited him during his detention and saw him in a cell with two other men, one of whom is suspected to be mentally challenged. Male heard Radua’s frantic cries for help around 11 AM but refrained from acting out of fear. Tragically, an hour later, Radua’s lifeless body was brought out of the cell.

Solaila expressed her dismay, saying, “They treated him like rubbish,” and noted that it was evident Radua had already passed away. The family is now grappling with painful questions regarding the safety measures in place at the police station. They are particularly concerned about the presence of a mentally challenged individual in the same cell and why Radua’s distress was ignored.

The incident has sparked outrage within the community, leading to calls for significant reforms at the Savusavu Police Station. Shiu Shankar Singh, the special administrator for Savusavu Town Council, lamented the ongoing issues of police misconduct and emphasized the urgent need for changes to restore public confidence in the police force.

In response to the outcry, the Acting Police Commissioner, Juki Fong Chew, has mandated a Criminal Investigations Department (CID) inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Radua’s death. The police acknowledged that he was allegedly assaulted by another inmate and that, despite efforts to rush him to the hospital, he was pronounced dead.

The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission has also voiced its concerns. Commission chairperson Pravesh Sharma highlighted the importance of safety protocols within police custody, stressing the state’s responsibility for the individuals detained.

Amidst the family’s grief, which follows the loss of their home in a recent fire, they now face the harrowing task of coping with the tragic death of a loved one under such distressing conditions.

This incident, while tragic, presents an opportunity for the community and authorities to come together in demanding accountability and ensuring that proper protocols are established to prevent such occurrences in the future. Both public and official responses reflect a commitment to reform that could lead to a safer and more trustworthy police system in Fiji.

With communal efforts and a focus on change, there is hope for a future where citizens feel secure in the protection offered by their law enforcement agencies.


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