A village headman in Somosomo, Taveuni, sustained serious injuries and was admitted at the Waiyevo Hospital last week after he was attacked by a youth in the village with a piece of timber.
The man has been discharged but Somosomo chief and former chairman of the Cakaudrove Provincial Council, Ratu Jekesoni Yavalanavanua, said he was concerned and called on police to refrain from policing selectively.
He said the suspect was still at large despite the fact that his identity has been revealed to police.
Following the incident, Ratu Jekesoni said chiefs in the village were worried about the safety of the village headman who represented authorities like the police within the communal setting.
It was also alleged the attack was in retaliation to reports lodged by the village headman against youths cultivating marijuana in the village.
When contacted yesterday, police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro said police had not received any report of an attack related to a marijuana report. However, Ms Naisoro confirmed the village head had been attacked and was admitted at the Waiyevo Hospital as a result of injuries he sustained.
