Police come down hard on looters in flood-hit areas

By Maneshka Borham

Police apprehended 15 persons from various flood-affected areas in the country for suspected looting and stealing valuables from houses evacuated by victims of the recent floods.

Following a large number of complaints regarding looting and widespread burglary in areas hit by the recent floods, the police have stepped up action to apprehend those looting houses of flood victims.Authorities engaged in flood relief operations, found that many of the flood-affected victims were unwilling to move out of their homes fearing that their properties will be looted. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has assured that the police will safeguard their properties. Colombo- North SSP Ajith Rohana said the police will take stern action against those engaging in such acts.

“Those found stealing from evacuated houses, purchasing stolen goods or transporting them will be severely dealt with by the police” he said. The police are now deploying special security teams to such areas with the assistance of the Navy.

“We are sending teams to patrol flood areas to prevent burglaries and looting” he said. “Officers in civil were being deployed to monitor such areas and apprehend offenders” he said.

The police recorded a large number of road accidents during the past few days from disaster-hit areas due to damaged roads and damaged traffic lights. “We urge drivers and pedestrians to be cautious on the roads and request them to refrain from visiting disaster- hit areas for sightseeing,” he said. “They were hampering rescue and relief operations being carried out,” he said.