Teen driver killed in Jaffna after police fire on van that allegedly ignored orders to stop

A 17-year-old boy was killed after police opened fire on a van that allegedly ignored orders to stop at Kayts in Jaffna early this morning (10). 

Police said officers had attempted to flag down a suspicious van near Allapiddi Junction in Kayts, but that the vehicle had ignored orders to stop and proceeded towards Mandathivu. The message regarding the van was conveyed to the jeep carrying the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Kayts Police, who was coming towards Allapiddi after inspecting the Mandathivu road block. The jeep had tried to compel the van to stop but it had continued on its way in an attempt to flee the area. 

Police claimed officers had initially fired in the air in an attempt to force the driver of the van to stop, but when this failed, shots were fired at the van, resulting in the driver being hit and sustaining injuries. He was admitted to the Jaffna Hospital but succumbed to his injuries. 

Police identified the deceased as a 17-year-old resident of Vaddukoddai. 

Police said the rear seats of the van had been removed and there were two other occupants in the vehicle. They have been arrested by the Kayts Police. Further investigations are being conducted jointly by the Kayts Police and the Jaffna Division Crime Investigation Bureau.