Criminal Investigation Division (CID) officers arrived in Jaffna on Saturday to probe whether protests over the rape and murder of a Pungudutivu school girl involved "anti-national groups" who were trying to destablise the Jaffna peninsula, the Sunday Times reported.
Vithiya, who went missing after school on May 13, 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.
Peaceful protests calling for those responsible to face justice turned violent on Wednesday, as distrust and scepticism over whether the Sri Lankan police and legal system would ensure justice 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 firing into the air, as stones were thrown towards the court house. In total 130 people were arrested.
Security remained tight in Jaffna, as Sri Lankan riot police, Special Task Force officers and military personnel who were deployed across region this week remained with armoured vehicles stationed along Jaffna streets, despite the violence subsiding by Friday.
Related article: Sri Lankan police pursue and assault protesters in Jaffna (21 May 2015)
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.
Vithiya, who went missing after school on May 13, 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.
Peaceful protests calling for those responsible to face justice turned violent on Wednesday, as distrust and scepticism over whether the Sri Lankan police and legal system would ensure justice 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 firing into the air, as stones were thrown towards the court house. In total 130 people were arrested.
Security remained tight in Jaffna, as Sri Lankan riot police, Special Task Force officers and military personnel who were deployed across region this week remained with armoured vehicles stationed along Jaffna streets, despite the violence subsiding by Friday.
Related article: Sri Lankan police pursue and assault protesters in Jaffna (21 May 2015)
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.