Suspect remanded over assault and robbery of youth in Jaffna's Kalviyankadu

A man accused of severely assaulting a young man and snatching his money in the Kalviyankadu area of Jaffna has been arrested by Kopay police and remanded.

The suspect, who had been standing in front of a liquor bar near the Kalviyankadu market, had repeatedly threatened people coming out of a nearby bank ATM after withdrawing money and demanded cash, police said. He is accused of assaulting the young man and grabbing his money when an argument broke out after the youth refused to pay.

Video of the incident, which took place as many members of the public looked on, spread rapidly on social media and caused a stir. Acting on the footage, Kopay police accelerated their inquiries and promptly arrested the attacker.

After intensive questioning at the police station, the suspect was produced before the Jaffna court, which ordered that he be remanded until the 20th. Kopay police are continuing further investigations into the incident.

The Kalviyankadu market area, where the incident took place, is one of the busiest commercial streets in Jaffna town. Police have not yet released further details on the condition of the injured young man.