The rape and murder of a schoolgirl in Punguditivu, Jaffna, was carried out on a contract given by an individual who had a personal issue with her mother, local media reported on Friday (22).

The mother of the girl had appeared at the courts to give evidence against three persons sometime back, police reports said. One of the three had reportedly given the monetary contract to the main suspect of the case.

The body of the 17 years old girl was discovered last week in Pungudutivu. Medical tests found that she was raped by a group before being brutally murdered. Nine people are already in custody on suspicion over the rape and murder.

Jaffna turned violent on Wednesday (20) when police failed to produce the remaining suspects of the gang-rape and the murder. Police arrested 130 persons who started throwing stones at the court. There policemen were also injured because of the clash and several buildings and vehicles were damaged.

Hartal campaigns were carried out across the Northern Province even yesterday. However, Jaffna is now largely peaceful, reports said.