Ava gang responsible for attack on police officers in Jaffna - IGP

Members of a gang called ‘Ava’ were responsible for the attack on two policemen at Kopai in Jaffna yesterday, the police said.

Revealing the details of the attack, the Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundera said a comprehensive operation is underway to apprehend the suspects.

Two policemen came under attack of a gang of thugs, who arrived at the scene of the incident on four motorcycles and assaulted the policemen with swords and clubs in Kopai yesterday.

The IGP visited Jaffna today to inspect the situation and also inquired into the welfare of the two policemen who are receiving treatment at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital.

IGP Jayasundera directed the senior police officers in Jaffna to apprehend the suspects as soon as possible.

“We have identified the person who was leading this team (Ava gang). He was an ex-LTTE,” the IGP said addressing the media after meeting with the Chief Minister of Northern Province C. V. Wigneswaran and members of the police.

The IGP instructed the police to use minimum power and be cautious in carrying out their duties in an environment where war situations prevailed for several years.

He said the Special Task Force (STF) will be deployed and if needed, the police will get the assistance of the Army and the Navy to ensure law and order in the area.

“We are in the process of police patrolling, checking and arresting suspects, with the assistance of the STF and if we need we are going to get the assistance of Sri Lanka Army, Navy and Air Force as well to get this area under proper control,” he said.

Until the police arrest the all responsible wrong doers and bad characters, this special search, operation and patrol system will be implemented.

“One law in the country has to be applied for everybody,” the IGP stressed.