Two police officers from Medawachchiya Police Station have been arrested by the Kebithigollewa Crimes Unit over allegations of assaulting a youth on April 7 in Medawachchiya.
A Police Sergeant and a Constable from Medawachchiya Police were detained for allegedly subjecting the youth to inhumane treatment after taking him into custody. They are scheduled to appear before the Kebithigollewa Magistrate’s Court today (11), according to police sources.
Police said that at on April 7 evening, a group of police officers on traffic duty near the Medawachchiya primary school on the Mannar-Medawachchiya road signaled a small lorry to stop. However, the lorry driver ignored the signal and continued, prompting a police chase.
As the lorry attempted to evade the police through byroads, another team of officers from the same station, traveling in a three-wheeler for an operation, noticed the fleeing lorry and joined the pursuit. After several attempts, they intercepted the lorry in the Thulaveliya area.
During the arrest, the lorry driver's assistant tried to dispose of a plastic bottle containing 5 liters of illicit liquor but was arrested. The driver, charged with various offenses including driving under the influence and dangerous driving, was also arrested.
While in police custody, the lorry driver complained of severe abdominal pain and was admitted to Medawachchiya Hospital, later transferred to Anuradhapura Hospital. Allegations of repeated assault during the arrest were made by the suspect, leading to the arrest of the two police officers by the Kebithigollewa Division Crimes Unit following an investigation into the complaint.
