Ragging dispute: Police arrest 35 students over assault

Police have arrested 35 first-year students of the University College of Kuliyapitiya for assaulting two persons over a ragging incident. 

Police Media Unit said the suspects had attacked another first-year student who was opposed to ragging. There had been a long-standing dispute between the two groups over ragging at the university college. 

The suspects had assaulted the victim at a private boarding place he had been staying at. The 52-year-old caretaker of the boarding who tried to prevent the victim from being assaulted was also attacked by the suspects during the incident and suffered injuries. He has been admitted to the Kuliyapitiya Hospital. 

Kuliyapitiya police arrested 35 students in connection with the incident and they were produced before the Kuliyapitiya Magistrate, who released them on personal bails of Rs. 100, 000 each. The magistrate sternly warned the suspects not to intimidate the victims. If any attempt is made to intimidate the victims, the suspects will be remanded and police will be directed to initiate legal action against them under the Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act, the magistrate further warned. 

The assault also created tensions in the area. As such, the Headquarters Inspector of the Kuliyapitiya Police took steps to call area residents, college staff, the students who attacked the victim as well as the victim to the police station to calm the situation. Kuliyapitiya Police are investigating.