Bogus police in botched up raid

One person was killed and two children injured when they were hit by a speeding van carrying five police impersonators attempting to flee following a botched-up raid on a guest house at Emathagama in Mawanella yesterday, police said today.

They identified the dead person as H. M. Jayasoma 63 while the two children were aged 16 and eight respectively. The elderly man died while under treatment at the Kandy Hospital.

The children were identified as Danushka Manik 16 and F.G. Malik six.

Earlier the five had arrived at the guest house in a rented out van and demanded to check out the identity of the guests who were in the rooms when they were challenged by the Motel owner who demanded to see their official identities.

At this point the group became jittery and had attempted to flee in the van when they were chased down by the hotel owner, police and residents and in the melee they hit the elderly man and the children, the motel owner K.G. Piyatissa who is also a member of the Mawanella Pradeshiya Sabha said.

Investigations have revealed that among the five suspects were a former Police Sub Inspector (SI) and Constable who are currently interdicted.

The group according to police had made several successful previous raids in motels and hotels in the area.

In one particular case the suspects had rounded up an unmarried couple from a guest hose in the vicinity and later demanded cash Rs. 20,000 and threatened to file charges if they did not cooperate.