Two shot by Razeek group

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 28 December 1999, 12:27 GMT]
A youth was shot dead and another wounded, when members of the Razeek group opened fire at them at Saththurukkondan, 5 k.m. north of Batticaloa, around 9.30 a.m. this morning. The Razeek group is a paramilitary unit operating as an auxiliary force of the Sri Lanka Army in the Batticaloa district.

Sources said an ambush party from the Razeek group shot and killed Semmapodi Nanthakumar,26, and wounded Alakipody Ramesh,25.

The Razeek Group, however, claimed that they opened fire when the youths tried to throw grenade at them.

They said four youths were cycling in the area and they attempted to lob a grenade when they ordered them to stop. Two of them escaped, they added.

The wounded is admitted at the Batticaloa hospital and the body of Nanthakumar is lying at the hospital, sources said.