2ND LEAD (CORRECTION)

Gunmen shoot dead fisherman, youth in Kalmunai

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 11 March 2008, 08:20 GMT]
Two unidentified gunmen shot and killed Monday around 6:45 p.m. a Sinhalese fish monger who engages in blast fishing in Kalmunai in Ampaa'rai district. The killers, after slaying the fisherman at his house, went to a nearby shrub where they had hidden their motorbike. When they were disturbed by a youth, they shot and killed him. An STF trooper, alerted by the killed youth, was wounded when he confronted the escaping gunmen. The episode comes in the wake of a protest by Muslim fishermen in the area against dynamite fishing.

The fish monger killed was identified as Upali Weerasooriya, 55, who was residing at the old post office building Kalmunai Rest House road.

The two killers had come to Upali’s house and asked his wife to call him out. When Uapali came out and showed his National Identity Card the killers shot and killed him, his wife said.

STF field bike unit troops have been deployed in the area following the killings.

Pedestrians were assaulted by the STF troops, residents of the area said.

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