One of the claimants of the Buli Raviravi title in Nabouwalu, 74 year old Josateki Cavu passed away this morning at the Labasa hospital.
Divisional Crime Officer Northern, ASP Luke Rawalai said a Police team has gone down to Nabouwalu this morning to arrest more villagers who were allegedly involved in the murder.
Police have already charged the six men with criminal intimidation and act with intent to cause grievous harm and they will appear in court tomorrow.
Meanwhile the other 62 year old claimant of the Title is still admitted at the hospital after a brawl erupted due to the chiefly title dispute.
Rawalai confirms that a team of 20 officers are also keeping a close watch on the Vuniyasa and Nabouwalu villages as the situation remains tense.
ASP Rawalai has confirmed that a brawl broke out during a meeting where the installation of a new chief was being discussed. The position of Buli Raviravi is vacant following the death of the chief this year.
It is alleged that 74 year old villager, Josateki Cavu who claimed that he should be the next chief led a group of men and stormed into the village hall at Nabouwalu. The group was armed with cane knives and stones.
It was during the confrontation when the 74 year old man allegedly knifed a 62 year old man of the other faction. A group of Nabouwalu villagers then retaliated and the 74 year old was also knifed.
It is then alleged that a group of Nabouwalu villagers went to Vuniyasa and vandalised a few homes and chased people away from their houses.
Some more villagers are expected to be arrested soon.
