Qiliho’s intervention to investigate a road fatality in Labasa justified
The Police have a sacred responsibility to uphold the rule of law. When Police Commissioner Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho decides to send a team of investigators to Labasa to investigate the death of Jone Rusiate, people of the Northern hub are relieved.
The Northerners are happy, based on information obtained by the Fiji Sun, because of a perception that the Labasa Police Station may be unable to do a thorough investigation.
Their concern has been raised by Labasa lawyer Sushil Chand Sharma of Sushil Sharma Lawyers, in a letter to Brigadier-General Qiliho.
While he is representing a couple living in terror because of the threat of alleged gang violence, drugs and lawlessness in the area, he is in fact voicing the fear of other residents.
The deceased was a good friend of the suspect, another lawyer. The suspect was injured, taken to the hospital, treated and sent home. Labasa Police had alleged that he would be interviewed when he recovered.
Was he medically unfit to be interviewed by Labasa Police? He was able to walk away after treatment, which suggested his condition was not life-threatening or serious. At any rate, should a suspect in a fatality be initially locked up and questioned?
From accounts we are getting from witnesses to the alleged incident, the suspect, married with children, had allegedly arrived at this remote location with another woman. An argument allegedly flared up between the two. The deceased was in a car that reached the site later. The suspect’s vehicle was stuck, and he went to get help. Somewhere along the line there was an altercation. The suspect was reversing his vehicle when he allegedly hit Mr Rusiate, who was rushed to hospital but died there. The suspect was also taken to hospital after he was allegedly hit by an object.
People in the area are concerned about police alleged lack of action in dealing with complaints on alleged gang activities that include terrorising people who stand up to the criminal elements.
If this is true it is a matter of grave concern and it warrants immediate attention from the top police hierarchy.
Brigadier-General Qiliho’s prompt response to Mr Sharma’s plea for help is reassuring and will boost the people’s confidence in the rule of law and order.
While the Suva investigating team conducts its investigation, it must find out why the Labasa Police are not in a position to do it. It will discover the flaws and the reasons that may compromise their work.
Several high-profile cases have now gone into the cold case file. They include:
. Jiya Jaanvi, 14-year-old student of Labasa College. She was murdered in Namara, Labasa on July 22, 2020. Jaanvi was alone in the rented flat while her mother was at work when the incident happened.
She was discovered with clothes soaked in blood at the door of the house by their landlord around 8pm;
Chiraag Murit, a seven-year-old boy, disappeared from his home in Qila, Taveuni, on November 12, 2021. Chiraag has a twin brother, and both have hearing and speech disabilities.
The alleged theft of $850,000 from Westpac on April 13, 2022, between Savusavu and Suva. Three bags of money were transported by the former security company (Securimax Security Services Pte Limited) from the Westpac Savusavu branch to Labasa Airport. Upon arrival in Nausori, the security officer escorting the bags discovered that the security company seal had been changed, the money missing, and each bag contained two rims of A4 papers.
The reasons for the Labasa Police’s inability to crack these cases could be discovered in this new investigation.
No one is above the law, even lawyers. So, the Labasa people are looking forward to this new investigation and what would happen to the lawyer suspect.
The people’s concern is highlighted in the latest public opinion poll which rates law and order second as one of the top priority issues for eligible voters in this election.
If the outcome of the police investigation satisfies the people, then it would help restore public confidence.