Top police officers in Jaffna transferred

Saturday, 23 May 2015 00:39 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) yesterday ordered the transfer of several senior police officers in Jaffna with immediate effect, following the violence which broke out between protesters and the police.

According to police headquarters, the Superintendent of Police (SP), Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), the Headquarters Inspector (HQI) of the Jaffna Police and the HQI of Kayts Police have been transferred on service requirements with the approval of the Public Order Ministry Secretary.

A large group on 20 May staged a protest outside the Jaffna court demanding that nine suspects arrested over the gang rape and murder of an 18-year-old student in Punkudithivu, be sentenced to death.

Police used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators after many of them pelted stones at the court premises and assaulted police officers on duty. Five police officers were hospitalised following the incident and 130 individuals were remanded.