Cops transferred over assault

The police headquarters has ordered the transfer of 17 policemen over an assault on a group of people in the Dikwella area early this morning.
A protest was staged in the?Dikwella town this morning over the assault with area residents attempting to go towards the Dikwella police station.
The situation was however brought under control with the protesters being assured that the OIC of the?Dikwella police station and several other policemen were being transferred to Matara over the incident.
Police spokesman SP Budhika Siriwardena said that the incident had reportedly taken place when area residents had contacted the?Dikwella police to complain about a disturbance being created by a group of men who were passing time overnight before a perahera scheduled for today.
When officers of the?Dikwella police station had gone to the location early this morning a tense situation had developed and several people were allegedly assaulted by the police.
Most of those injured in the incident had to seek medical treatment in hospital.?Investigations are underway. (Colombo Gazette)