Police in Jaffna have been accused of negligence in the case of murdered schoolgirl S. Vithiya.
Vithiya’s parents attempted to report her missing at the Kurikattuvan police checkpoint but were turned away. They later filed a report at Kayts police station, but police there were reportedly disinterested, saying Vithiya had likely run away with someone.
The body of the 18 year old Pungudutivu student was found inside a dilapidated house with her hands and legs tied to logs.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police for the Northern Province, Lalith A. Jayasinghe told journalists that the Kurikattuvan checkpoint had been unable to take the case as there were no facilities to file reports there. However reports of negligence at Kayts would be investigated.
Mr Jayasinghe also said that the trial of the suspects in the rape and murder of Vithya was progressing, with investigators currently awaiting the results of DNA tests.
Four more people were arrested in connection with protests demanding justice for Vithiya. 130 people were arrested during the demonstrations which turned violent earlier this month and are being held in Anuradhapura and Vavuniya jails. Among the detained, 37 are reported to be school students under the age of 18.
