SLA trooper accidentally fires gun at busy junction

[TamilNet, Monday, 08 August 2005, 00:55 GMT]
Residents around the busy Madathady junction in Trincomalee town and civilians nearby were struck with fear for about half an hour and ran for cover hearing the noise of a gunshot Sunday evening around 6 p.m., residents said. Police later revealed that a Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldier's gun had accidentally gone off. No one was hurt in the incident, Police sources said.

SLA commanders Immediately removed the errant soldier from the site, police sources said.

Soldiers are deployed in large numbers in every junction on main roads and in lanes in the east port town since the erection of Buddha statue in the Trincomalee bus stand. Soldiers are seen frequently walking on the both sides of the road in lines with guns pointing towards passersby and vehicles, residents said.

Sunday incident has further worsened the fears that future such incidents can result in serious injuries to the public, residents said.

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