All 19 suspects who were arrested on Thursday night as part of an operation to stop gangs have been released from police custody.
Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusaan told Adhadhu that 16 people and three minors were arrested during the operation. They were arrested in a raid conducted under a court warrant for five suspects.
Eleven of them and the three minors were released without summoning to court for a remand hearing. Ihusaan said they were kept in police custody for 24 hours in the interest of the community.
Five suspects who were detained with a court warrant were released when summoned to the Criminal Court for a remand hearing. The court ruled that the police had not produced any evidence to support the charges of serial assault and possession of sharp weapons.
Police had also told the court that they were not facing charges under the Gang Crimes Prohibition Act due to the difficulties in enforcing the law.
Ihusaan said the government will introduce the new Gang Bill in Parliament within the next two weeks and that it would help in stopping gang-related crimes.
