2ND LEAD (Correction)

Policeman injured in Point Pedro attack

[TamilNet, Friday, 18 November 2005, 11:49 GMT]
Unknown assailant waiting outside the Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP) offices in Manthikai, 2 km south of Point Pedro, fired at two persons in civilian clothes when they came out of the office premises at 10.50 a.m. Friday. Unconfirmed reports said that one Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldier dressed in civilian clothes was killed in the attack. Palaly military spokesman denied that the dead man was an SLA trooper. The other, a Sri Lanka Police officer, was injured in the attack and has been admitted to the Base Hospital in Point Pedro. He receiving treatment for gunshot injuries amid strengthened security.

The SL army and the police combined in an attack on the Tamil civilians and thirty youths from the area were taken in for questioning and subsequently detained.

Business establishments in the Point Pedro and Manthikai areas, were forcibly shut down, by the SL Forces.

Residents in Manthikai also said the sound indicated that attack may have been carried out with hand grenades.

The Point Pedro District EPDP office, is situated at a strategic point near the Manthikai junction.

Public transport to Jaffna and Kodikamam via Manthikai junction came to a standstill as area in the vicinity of the EPDP office was cordoned off and search conducted.