A man is on the run for allegedly raping and assaulting a 23-year-old woman at Holland Street in Suva yesterday morning.

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said: “There was a report of an alleged assault and rape of a student who was walking in that vicinity this morning.”

Blood stains were seen on the ground in the area.

Nai Nabalebu, 42, a maintenance worker for the Laxmi Narayan Mandir in Holland Street, said he saw the suspect running down the creek next to the temple.

Mr Nabalebu said: “He was running down to the river from the back gate of the temple when I saw him.

“He looked to be in his early 30s.

“When I was going to the shop to get bread I saw the man washing his hands and feet at the creek.”

Pundit Jayendra Shastri, said he saw the Police opposite the temple around midday yesterday.

Mr Shastri said: “The Police told me that a man had dragged a girl down that alley across the temple and had raped her there.

“Every day there are 10 to 15 boys and girls that come here and sleep across the street down that alley where there is a tunnel and nobody does anything.

“On a few occasions they have thrown stones on the temple roof, but nobody ever takes them out from there.

“I have informed the Police to take these people out of here and not allow them to get into those tunnels.”

Ms Naisoro confirmed that investigators from Totogo Police Station were hunting for the suspect and anyone with information is requested to call Crime Stoppers on 919 or 990-5646.

Edited by Maraia Vula

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