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| Photographs Tamil Guardian |
Sri Lankan police officers were deployed outside the Jaffna court complex on Thursday morning, as protesters gathered expecting three suspects, accused of the rape and murder of a Pungudutivu school girl last week, to be produced before court.
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The police have denied this however, telling demonstrators that the suspects were not due to be produced before court today.
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| Protesters gathered in front of Jaffna court complex on May 21 |
The suspects, three local men, were arrested last week on suspicion of the rape and murder of the 18 year old Advance Level student, S Vithiya. Her body was found in a dilapidated building on Thursday, with her hands and feet tied to logs.
The suspects are being held in remand at Jaffna police station. A further five men were later arrested.
Protests calling for justice turned violent yesterday, 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. 127 people were arrested. Jaffna's justice Court passed a court order that would keep the arrested protesters in custody until June 4.
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.