Police Commissioner instructs to take action to minimise injuries to officers

Commissioner of Police has instructed the Operations Commander to take the necessary action to minimise injuries to Police officers during the ongoing Direct, Immediate Action protests by MDP.

The Commissioner announced this instruction via Twitter.

Sub-Inspector of Police Hassan Haneef said today that currently Police only break up the protests after they suffer injuries of various degrees, but from now on protests will be broken up as soon as signs of violence are observed.

He added that this has to be done in order to minimise harm to Police officers as well as members of the public.

He said that nine Police officers have been injured so far in the protests, and one officer who sustained injuries to the brain and head has been sent to Sri Lanka for further medical treatment.

The protests have ended in violence and unrest every night. Protesters have been throwing pavement bricks, pepper, and petrol at Police officers.

Last night alone, fire was set to a Police motorcycle, windows were broken of a Police vehicle, several roadblocks were destroyed, and six Police officers were injured.

MDP has commenced protests tonight as well.

Police have officially announced that MDP’s current protests are not peaceful.