Armed gang injures 3 Muslim traders in Pollanaruwa

[TamilNet, Friday, 25 January 2008, 13:11 GMT]
Unidentified armed young men went on a rampage Thursday night at 7:00p.m in the market area in Ridithenna located in the border area between Batticaloa and Pollanaruwa districts attacking three Muslim businessmen and seriously wounding them, police said.

The injured victims have been identified as M.Mahroof, S.Faizal and A.Latheef.

The armed group entered the business establishments and attacked the three men inflicting serious injuries. The victims are supporters of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, (SLMC) sources in the region said.

Tension prevailed in the area as Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troopers and Police personnel rushed to the scene and arrested a Muslim youth believed to be involved in the attack, Vazhaichcheanai police said.

The arrested youth was produced before Batticaloa magistrate and is kept in detention pending investigations.

A number of business establishments in the area were destroyed during the Thursday night attack.

There has been a significant escalation in the number of politically motivated clashes taking place between the supporters of SLMC, United People’s Front (UPF) and independent groups contesting in the forthcoming Batticaloa local Council Elections, sources in the region said.

Rithithenna is located in Welikanda border area.