A Sinhalese settler in Mullaitivu was arrested on the charges of obstructing a government official from carrying out his duty, after he assaulted the Kokkilai West village officer.
The incident occurred on May 14 when a confrontation occurred between the village officer’s team of officials and Sinhalese settlers about a government housing scheme that was to be built in Mugathuvaram.
The village officer was assaulted and had his motorcycle keys and work diary snatched from him.
While the officer filed a police complaint the next day, police failed to take action for a week.
The suspect was only arrested on May 22 after the village officer raised the issue with the assistant superintendent of police.
Following the arrest, Mullaitivu police called all village officers under the Karaithuraipatru (Maritimepattu) division for mediation talks, however the village officers insisted that the suspect should be brought before the law.
Hundreds of fellow Sinhalese settlers from Kokkulai reportedly crowded the police station demanding the suspect’s release.
However the suspect was produced before the Mullaitivu magistrate’s court on May 23 on the charges of interfering with a government official’s duties. The court placed him on remand until June 3.
