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A YOUNG woman from Southern Highlands was
found dead “under mysterious circumstances” at the Hohola police cell
last Thursday evening.
The 23-year-old woman was from Magarima, Southern Highlands province,
and married to a policeman.
She was found dead in her cell.
Police claimed that she might have taken her own life but her relatives
are calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances
surrounding her death.
It was alleged the woman and her husband had a domestic argument and a
fight ensued at the Gordon police barracks last Tuesday.
According to elder brother, his sister decided to run away and seek
refuge at his house at Hohola.
He said last Thursday afternoon, his sister went back to Gordon police
barracks to gather some of her clothes but her husband was there, called
the Hohola police who arrested and took her to Hohola police station
where she was slapped with two charges – for wilful damage for a broken
window at the barracks and for threatening.
She was locked up at the police cell but was found dead about 8.30pm.
The brother claimed the Hohola police told the relatives that the woman
had committed suicide while in the cell blocks.
He said the police did not inform them of her death until they inquired.
Another policeman said it was standard procedure that all persons were
properly screened and all items taken away before being locked up, and
the death of the young woman was highly suspicious.
He said once she was charged, she should have been transferred to Boroko
police cells instead of keeping her at the Hohola cells.
Operations Supt John Anawe assured the relatives last Friday that the
officers would be suspended while an investigation was carried out.
When contacted yesterday, Supt Anawe said he was still investigating the
death and would not release further information because of security
reasons and did not want to provoke the situation.
 
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