Sri Lankan riot police, Special Task Force officers and military personnel remained stationed across Jaffna on Friday, even as protests over the rape and murder of a Pungudutivu school girl last week, began to ease.
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| Photographs Tamil Guardian |
Four senior police officers, including the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Superintendent of Police (SP), the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and the Officers-In-Charge of Jaffna and Kayts Police, were transferred to Jaffna with immediate effect, following an order by the Inspector General of Police, N K Ilankakoon.
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The Chief Justice Shri Bhavan also visited the Jaffna Peninsula today, inspecting the damage to the Jaffna court complex following violent scenes yesterday, as protesters threw stones demanding justice for the 18 year old Advance Level student, Vithiya.
Vithiya, who went missing after school last Wednesday, was found dead with her hands and feet tied to logs the next day. Arrests have been made regarding the incident as demonstrations were held across the North-East, demanding prompt action against the perpetrators.
Protests calling for justice turned violent on Wednesday, as distrust and scepticism over whether the Sri Lankan police and legal system would ensure justice was served increased following the escape of one of the suspects to Colombo. The suspect was later found and returned to Jaffna police station.
Demanding that justice be done, protesters on Wednesday encircled Jaffna court house. Riot police, military personnel and special task force officers were deployed and tear gas fired into the crowds and stones were thrown towards the court house. In total 130 people were arrested.
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The violence has been condemned by the chief minister of the northern province, who said that outside elements were trying to exacerbate the longstanding distrust that existed between the Sri Lankan police and the Tamil people. See here.
Demonstrating against the violence directed towards the court complex, lawyers in Jaffna went on strike on Friday.
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