401 poll violence reported in 17 days

[TamilNet, Thursday, 08 November 2001, 22:10 GMT]
The Police Election Secretariat said Thursday that it has received 401 complaints of violence related to forthcoming general election since the nominations were filed on 27 October. "We have received thirty one complaints of election violence during the last twenty four hours" a police official said.

According to the police, the main opposition United National Party has lodged 210 complaints. 122 complaints were lodged by the ruling People's Alliance and the Marxist Janata Vimukthi Peramuna.

In the meantime, the Inspector General of Police Mr.Lucky Kodituwakku Thursday instructed all police stations in the country to take stern action on persons who violate election laws. Police personnel have now been deployed to deface election posters in public places and to remove party flags and other materials, police sources said.

Provincial Deputy Inspector Generals of Police have briefed all leaders of recognized political parties and independent groups contesting the forthcoming general elections in their respective divisions about the stern actions planned to take against persons violating election laws.