Sri Lankan police have arrested at least 50 'grease devils' – sex maniacs – who allegedly indulge in sexually assaulting women in rural areas, causing panic.
Police said at least 30 cases of grease devils have been reported from several districts during the last 6 weeks.
Grease devils apply grease on their bodies while clad only in underwear. This would allow them to escape to safety if caught in the act.
But the police description of grease devils hold little water in areas where mythical beliefs of unseen forces are very much part of day to day lived. At least 47 such men have been arrested recently.
In a latest incident a police station in the eastern region of Pottuvil has come under siege of residents since this morning, who have been demanding the release of a grease devil.
Yesterday in the central region of Haputale, two suspected grease devils were done to death by the residents.
PTIAt least three people have been killed and scores of others injured including several policemen as tension mounts in the ongoing ‘Grease Devil’ scare that has rocked several parts of the country over the past few days.
In the most recent incident two suspected "Grease Devils" were chopped to death by villagers while intimidating women tea pluckers at an estate in the Haputale police area earlier today.
According to police the two men who were attired in black had arrived on a motor cycle and were residents of Moneragala. Two barber razors were also found in their possession, police said.
In a separate incident a 22-year-old youth died on the spot after he got stuck on to a live trap wire at Wellamboda in the Kandy District on late Wednesday, police said.
On Friday:
One person was killed and two others were injured after police opened fire to disperse an unruly gathering at Thirukovil in the Akkarapattu district.
ST
