Nine suspects, who were arrested in connection with the gang-rape and murder of a 17-year-old schoolgirl in Punkudithivu, Jaffna, have been further remanded till June 15 by the Kayts Magistrate’s Court on Monday (1).
In the mean time, 43 of 47 persons, who were arrested and remanded for their alleged involvement at an unlawful protest near the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court, have also been further remanded.
The recent incident of rape and murder of the 18-year-old girl had triggered violence in Jaffna, when people who had gathered outside the court complex went on rampage when police brought the arrested persons to the court.
A section of the mob, numbering around 400, threw stones at the court buildings and in the process, vehicles were damaged.
As many as 130 persons were arrested by the police for rioting. Ten police officers including Superintendent of Police of Jaffna were transferred with immediate effect.
The protesters demanded that authorities hand over nine men who were arrested and about to face court over the incident while other demanded their public execution.
