Police at Jittu Brawl

Tension is still high at Jittu Settlement after a brawl broke out on Sunday afternoon and yesterday morning.

Police officers turned up in numbers to control the brawl.

Residents and witnesses of the incident said cars had to stop on both sides as people were in the middle of the road throwing punches.

Fiji Police Force says two teenagers aged 17 and 18 are in Police Custody in relation to the brawl. They were arrested on Sunday night. The third, a 19-year-old was arrested yesterday.

“They are believed to be the instigators behind the brawl that went viral on social media. Police are expected to bring in more people that were involved in the brawl as investigations into the matter continue,” Police said.

Police said they had increased their presence and were closely monitoring the movement of people in that area.

What happened

Resident Joseva Tuidamu, 25, said he tried to stop the fight but was punched instead. “Few boys from the area were drinking and they had an encounter with my cousin (Amini) who has a psychosocial disability,” Mr Tuidamu said.

“They punched him, and he came home with blood on his face, I asked him what happened, he told me that he was punched by some boys by the road.

“I ran outside, and I saw that those boys were drunk, they saw me, came towards me and started punching me,” Mr Tuidamu alleged.

He said his family saw what had happened and tried to pull him away from the five boys who were punching him.

He said after word went out to other families the fight grew worse.

“The fight was just among youths. Cars had to stop because the fight was in the middle of the road, I am thankful no one any had severe injuries.”

United Jittu youth group secretary Ana Koroi said they would hold a virtual meeting to address the incident.

Ms Koroi said the incident painted a negative picture for Jittu residents.

“The guy that was punched first (Amini) is a person with Psychosocial disability and for the youths to punch him is something that needs to be addressed.

“There are people who need to understand what Psychosocial disability is and they need to understand him,” she added

Photo: Leon Lord > Officers from the Fiji Police Force were seen in numbers at Jittu Settlement, Suva after a brawl involving members of the community broke out early Sunday and yesterday morning. Residents fear for their lives after describing the incident as the biggest and most violent brawl they have seen. Three teenagers are in Police Custody. Police said more are likely to be taken in.

Photo: Leon Lord Heavy Police presence at Jittu Estate.