A heartbreaking incident at the Savusavu Police Station has left a family grieving and the local community in deep distress. Marika Radua, a farmer from the Naviavia Settlement in Cakaudrove, tragically died on Tuesday following an alleged assault by a cellmate.
Radua’s family is demanding accountability and clarity from law enforcement regarding his untimely death. He was arrested early that morning for an alleged offense and spent nearly six hours in custody. His aunt, Unaisi Solaila, recounted a visit from his cousin, Samuela Male, who found Radua locked in a cell with two others, one of whom was reportedly mentally challenged. Male claimed he heard Radua’s desperate cries for help around 11 a.m. but hesitated to intervene due to fears of potential repercussions.
An hour later, police emerged carrying Radua’s lifeless body from the cell. “They treated him like rubbish,” Ms. Solaila reflected, noting that it was apparent he had already passed away. The family is left grappling with unsettling queries, such as the absence of police during the alleged assault, the decision to place a mentally challenged person with other detainees, and the lack of response to Radua’s cries for help.
The shocking event has ignited community outrage, prompting calls for significant changes in the Savusavu Police Station’s operations. Shiu Shankar Singh, the special administrator of Savusavu Town Council, expressed his concerns, mentioning ongoing issues with police misconduct that have remained unaddressed. He emphasized the need for immediate measures to restore public trust and uphold professional standards within 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 rushed him to the hospital, where he was declared dead.
The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission has also weighed in, with chairperson Pravesh Sharma highlighting the critical need for safety protocols in police custody. Sharma pointed out that the State has a responsibility to ensure the safety of individuals in their custody.
In addition to dealing with the loss of their home in a recent fire, Radua’s family now faces the heartbreaking challenge of mourning a loved one in such tragic circumstances.
While this incident reveals significant systemic issues that need to be addressed, it also presents an opportunity for community members, authorities, and law enforcement to come together in pursuit of accountability, justice, and reforms that enhance the safety and integrity of the police system. Through collective efforts, there is hope for a positive transformation that ensures such tragedies do not recur in the future.
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