A devastating event at the Savusavu Police Station has plunged a family into grief and left the local community reeling. Marika Radua, a farmer from Naviavia Settlement in Cakaudrove, tragically lost his life on Tuesday following an alleged assault from a fellow inmate.
Radua was taken into custody earlier that day for an unspecified offense and spent nearly six hours in detention. During this time, his family alleges that he was subjected to violence. According to Radua’s aunt, Unaisi Solaila, a family member visited him that morning and found him sharing a cell with two other detainees, one of whom is reportedly mentally challenged. The visitor heard Radua’s desperate shouts for help around 11 a.m. but did not intervene out of fear. A short time later, police officers removed Radua’s deceased body from the cell, leading to a profound sense of loss and numerous questions for his family.
Solaila shared the family’s anguish, questioning the police’s inaction during the incident and the decision to allow a mentally impaired individual to share a cell with Radua. She expressed disbelief that such a tragedy could occur in a place where individuals are meant to be safe.
The tragic circumstances surrounding Radua’s death have ignited community outrage, prompting calls for significant changes in the management of personnel at the Savusavu Police Station. Shiu Shankar Singh, the special administrator for Savusavu Town Council, has been vocal about ongoing issues of police misconduct and stressed the urgent need for reform to restore public confidence in the police force.
In response, authorities have announced an official investigation ordered by Acting Police Commissioner Juki Fong Chew, with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) now involved. Police state that Radua was assaulted by a fellow detainee and confirm he was taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission has also raised serious concerns about the safety protocols for individuals in police custody. Its chairperson, Pravesh Sharma, emphasized the state’s responsibility to ensure the safety of detainees.
Adding to the family’s grief, they have already been dealing with the loss of their home in a recent fire, making this heartbreaking tragedy all the more overwhelming.
This incident serves as a critical reminder of the need to inspect and improve the safety and treatment of individuals in custody. While the situation is tragic, it can also be viewed as a catalyst for change and reform in law enforcement practices to ensure that similar events do not occur in the future.
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