Phul Kumari Recovers After Alleged Home Attack Left Her Injured

Phul Kumari is recovering after an alleged assault inside her home in Vunivau, Bua, left her with injuries to her eye, leg and ribs. The 58-year-old was discharged from Nabouwalu Sub-Divisional Hospital on Diwali day, according to the report. Her husband, Ganeshwar Prasad, said the couple’s plans for the festival were overshadowed by the incident. He had left early that morning to sell farm produce at Nabouwalu Market when he received a distress call from his wife at about 9.20am. She asked him to return, saying she had been robbed and feared she might die. Prasad said he stopped at Nabouwalu Police Station on his way home and asked officers to accompany him. He claimed they waited for their own transport before responding. When he reached the house, he found Kumari bleeding and badly bruised, he said. According to Prasad, Kumari heard dogs barking and went towards the gate to check. A man approached and asked for tobacco and money. She gave him tobacco, but he allegedly began beating her and demanding cash. Prasad said the attacker dragged her inside, covered her face with a saree and continued assaulting her for about 20 minutes. The man allegedly took two SIM cards from a phone before leaving. Prasad said Kumari was treated at the hospital with an injection and Panadol, and claimed medical staff told them a transfer to Labasa Hospital for an X-ray was not necessary. He said the couple had good relationships with people in nearby villages and had not expected someone to attack them. He called on authorities to act, saying older women in remote parts of Vanua Levu should be able to feel safe in their homes. Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed that officers had received a report and were looking into the matter.