Five more men were arrested on Sunday evening in relation to the rape and murder of a school girl in Pungudutivu, amid ongoing public outcry.

The detention of the men prompted anger from locals who surrounded the Kurikadduvan police sentry point, where the men were being held, demanding that the men be handed over to them. 

The police had been attempting to the transport the men, aged between 23 and 31, to the Kayts police station, before locals came to know of the detention.

Angered by the police's refusal to hand the men over, locals threw stones at the police, injuring two officers. Tyres were also set alight and used to blockade the road in order to prevent the police from transporting the suspects.

The incident led to further police officers and navy personnel to be called in order to increase security at the sentry point. The men were later taken by sea to the Jaffna police station, where they will be interrogated.

Sivaloganathan Vithiya, an 18 year old Advance Level student at the Pungudutivu Maha Vidyalaya school, was abducted on Wednesday and raped and killed. Her body was found the next day in a dilapidated house, with her hands and feet tied to logs.

Three local men were arrested on Friday, accused of being involved in Vithiya's murder. Her murder has sparked widespread protests and condemnation.

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