Persons arrested in Kaaththaankudi unrest released

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 11 June 2008, 17:31 GMT]
Batticaloa magistrate released Tuesday fourteen persons arrested in the unrest in Kaaththaankudi 27 May and held in remand custody, on a cash bail of 3,000 rupees and personal surety bail of 3,000 rupees each, legal sources in Batticaloa said. The released 14 persons had been charged for causing damage to government properties during the unrest.

25 Muslim youths were arrested and interrogated by the Special Task Force (STF) after the elite commandos unit opened fire on the protesters, killing a mother and wounding a youth, on 26 May at Ea'raavoor. Two policemen were wounded in the episode. Police said that the STF opened fire only after they were shot by armed men among the protesters.

Meanwhile, Muslim representatives alleged that at least 14 of the arrested youth have been subjected to torture as the police was attempting to get forced written statements from the youth.