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Expedite probes on those detained in round up ops and mob violence: PM
View(s):Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has advised the Police and the Attorney General’s Department to expedite inquiries on those arrested in operations carried out after the Easter Sunday bombings and the mob violence that followed.
The directive came after revelations that over 2,400 persons were currently in custody over the incidents.
The directive was given at a meeting with senior police officials led by Acting Inspector General of Police C.D. Wickrem-aratne and Attorney General Dappula de Livera, The meeting was also attended by Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana, Justice Minister Thalatha Athukorala and Minister of Public Enterprises Lakshman Kiriella.
A source at the Prime Minister’s office said that Mr Wickremesinghe had explained that investigations against those detained by the CID and TID directly for the bombings should be continued uninterrupted, but the cases against those detained during round up operations and involved in the riots should be expedited.
He pointed out that there were those who had been taken in on suspicion for possessing antique weapons, various types of garments, suspicious literature, knives etc and those involved in mob violence.
“Instructions were given to expedite their investi-gations and file action if sufficient cause was found or release them,” the source said.
Meanwhile a senior Police officer said, following the meeting, the Director In charge of Legal Affairs of the Police had sought information on those who had been arrested by the Army and handed over to the police, to determine whether they needed to be further detained or whether legal advice had to be sought from the AG’s Department.