Protest in Embilipitiya as injured victim in Monday's clash dies

A person among seven admitted to the Ratnapura Hospital following a clash between policemen and villagers during a celebration at a residence on Nawa Nagara Road in Embilipitiya on Monday night, died yesterday morning.

Meanwhile, 21 Police officers attached to the Embilipitiya police station have been transferred temporarily pending investigations.

A hand of the victim was amputated on Wednesday due to severe injuries and he had been kept on a ventilator machine due to the severe injuries on his head, Ratnapura hospital sources said.

The victim has been identified as J N N Prasanna. Though the doctors wanted to do a CT Scan for further treatment it was unable to do so due to the severe injuries on his head, they added. The police said the youth who died had fallen off a building in Embilipitiya during the clash with the police.

Four policemen and three civilians were hospitalized with injuries in the clash.

According to the villagers, two policemen had asked for liquor from the homeowners after the start of the house party and the ensuing argument between villagers and the police officers had escalated into fisticuffs.

Thereafter another group of police officers had arrived at the scene resulting in further clashes with the guests at the party ending with several individuals from both groups being hospitalized.

A house was also damaged during the clash , they added.

The Police Spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara recently denied all the allegations and said that the policemen concerned were on patrol duty and they were dispatched to a residence located near a private bank in Embilipitiya after being notified about a clash during a party. The residents had attacked the police officers who were attempting to mediate and resolve the dispute and this had caused the clash to escalate, police said.

Police said eight suspects have been remanded till January 11 in connection with the incident.

Embilipitiya Police are conducting further investigations.

Meanwhile, the death of Prasanna, whose wife is pregnant with their second child sparked a protest in the area yesterday morning. According to sources a group of over 1000 people engaged in the demonstration blocking the Embilipitiya - Middeniya Road.

The residents of the area have also hoisted black flags in their houses and shops in protest against the police.