Blast near Batticaloa checkpoint

[TamilNet, Sunday, 08 February 1998, 23:59 GMT]
A bomb concealed in the cross-bar of a bicycle exploded today near a Sri Lankan police check point in Kaluwanchikkudy, about thirty kilometres south of Batticaloa town.

One civilian was slightly injured in the blast, according to reports from the area. The bomb went off near the main check point adjacent to village Aaraipattai.

Meanwhile, about 20 Tamil civilians who were passing there was severely assaulted by the police, said sources in Batticaloa.

The Sri Lankan police are trained by the military, and operate in a combat role alongside the army, manning checkpoints and patrolling.