STF opens hunt for underworld in Western and Southern provinces

More than 150 specially trained Special Task Force (STF) Personnel and Policemen have been deployed in the Southern and Western Province with effect from today, aimed at combating the underworld.

After an initial briefing by Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon, the STF and Police personnel left for operations today.

Jeeps and motorcycles have been provided to the squads which have been divided into 20 groups.

Senior Police officials said that there would be more presence of the STF and Police personnel patrolling the streets and villages.

Police has already collected intelligence reports on underworld gangs and revelations have been made that many of the gang leaders have fled the country and operating from overseas, but their followers are involved in the murders and drug trafficking cases.

The move comes after at least 100 incidents of organised criminal activities were reported in three months claiming the lives of 56 persons.

Among them are 35 shootings where 25 persons have been killed. Most of them have been gang rivalries over drug trafficking.

IGP Tennakoon said that they are looking at 20 organised groups.