CCD, STF, Army to probe shooting

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

Police have deployed teams of the Colombo Crime Division, the Special Task Force and the Army following a shooting incident that took place close to the Maligawatta Jumma Mosque junction, Colombo yesterday.

Two unidentified men had come on a motorbike, and one of them had shot a person near the mosque, said Police Spokesperson SP Ajith Rohana. The incident had taken place at 12.30 am.

The condition of the injured person is critical. He is currently being treated at the Colombo General Hospital.

Another individual in the vicinity of the incident was also injured during the shoot out. He was also taken to the hospital, said SP Rohana.

When teams from Maligawatta Police were sent to the crime scene to look into the incident, the crowds who had gathered there, including neighbours and family members of the victims involved in the shooting, had acted violently against the police officers.

The unruly crowds had pelted stones at police officers who were conducting investigations at the the crime scene. One police officer suffered a head injury on being hit by a stone. He was also admitted to the hospital, said SP Rohana.

He said, the unruly crowd had gone onto damage 12 vehicles that were parked on the road, among them nine three wheelers.

Police have assigned the Colombo Crime Division to investigate the incident. The suspects are yet to be arrested by the Police, he said.

The situation in the area has been brought under control by the Police with the support of the Special Task Force and the Army, he said.