Soldier, policeman remanded over Vavuniya student deaths

A soldier and policeman have been remanded for allegedly shooting at a group of agricultural school students in Omanthai, Vavuniya, killing five of them and injuring 12 others last Saturday. The two suspects were among a group of security forces personnel posted on duty near the school where a claymore mine triggered by the LTTE went off, killing five army personnel, including two officers. Two others were injured.

The Police constable and the solider were produced before the Vavuniya Magistrate M. Illancheliyan and remanded until December 5 pending an identification parade. The magistrate also ordered that 24 T-56 automatic rifles of soldiers and policemen who were on duty at the location, be sent to the Government Analyst for inspection and a report.

The military spokesman last week said that the students were caught in a cross-fire soon after the incident. The Vavuniya JMO in a post-mortem report said the deaths were caused by gun shot injuries. He removed shrapnel from one body and from an injured student for further examination.