Two who tried to kidnap journalist in Kilinochchi still at large

The police have failed to arrest two individuals suspected of assaulting a freelance journalist based in war-torn Kilinochchi following an unsuccessful abduction bid, even 24 hours after the incident.

On boxing day, Murugaiyah Tamilselvan – an employee of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board’s (NWSDB) Kilinochchi office – was returning from work in the afternoon when two individuals arrived in a black vehicle and attempted to kidnap him. After their attempt failed, the duo had assaulted him and fled the scene.

Regional correspondents said that the police have been provided with details about one of the assailants who has already been identified.

Tamilselvan also serves as the Secretary of the Kilinochchi Press Club. On the evening 26 December, police officers had visited him while receiving treatment in the emergency unit of the Kilinochchi hospital. The journalist had lodged a complaint stating that the driver of the vehicle involved in the kidnapping attempt is a resident of Bharathipuram, Kilinochchi.

Tamilselvan had told fellow journalists that earlier that morning, the identified individual had verbally abused him and a senior official of the NWSDB’s Kilinochchi office.

Meanwhile, regional correspondents further said that despite providing the individual’s identification details, the police have failed to arrest the two suspects even by the evening of 27 December.

On Froday (27) Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA) has written to Sri Lanka’s police chief urging a speedy, thorough and independent investigation to ensure ‘those responsible are held accountable under the full extent of the law’.

“Over the past two decades, we have witnessed numerous killings, abductions, and attacks on journalists and media institutions, yet justice remains elusive for these incidents,” recalls the letter signed by President Duminda Sampath and General Secretary Ranga Bandaranayake.

Tamilselvan, who works as a freelance journalist for several Tamil media outlets including Virakesari, Thinakkural, Uthayan and Tamilwin, has previously reported about various rackets in the area including the illegal drug trade and soil and sand smuggling.

He is currently receiving treatment at the Kilinochchi Hospital.