A Cook Islands Police officer was stabbed with a pair of scissors in a violent incident in downtown Avarua. Photo / CI Police
A Cook Islands Police officer was stabbed with a pair of scissors in a violent incident in downtown Avarua. Photo / CI Police
A police officer in the Cook Islands is recovering after being stabbed in an incident at a market that is popular with tourists and locals alike.
Authorities were called to downtown Avarua after a tourist called Police to report he had been punched by a man about 10am yesterday (Saturday,local time).
Police said the man involved was reportedly heavily intoxicated and aggressive and had gone on a “threatening rampage”.
Incident happened at popular tourist market
“He had made his way to the Punanga Nui Market, seizing a pair of scissors from a retail outlet, and continuing on the main road in a threatening and abusive manner,” a police statement said.
“Police officers managed to contain the man...but one - who was off-duty- was stabbed with the scissors.”
The Punganga Nui Market, in Avarua, is a market popular with tourists and locals alike. Photo / Cook Islands Tourism
The Punanga Nui Market is located near the waterfront next to downtown Avarua - Rarotonga’s main township - just around the corner from the Rarotonga International Airport.
The market is a hive of activity on Saturday mornings, in particular, with the many food and handicrafts stalls making it a popular attraction for tourists.
The off-duty officer sustained wounds to his body, local authorities said.
