Amparai missing youth still not found

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 14 January 2004, 15:59 GMT]
Muslim youth, Niaz, from Sorikalmunai in Amparai, who disppeared on Friday 9 January is still missing. Nallaratnam Sivakumar who was arrested by Muslim youths and handed over to Kalmunai police has been transferred to the Batticaloa Police for further investigations, security sources said. Mr.Sivakumar was allegedly seen with the missing youth when he was last seen.

Niaz is from Natpittimunai village in Amparai district.

Muslim youths from Sorikalmunai who arrested Sivakumar have been combing the region for the last five days looking for Niaz, sources said.

Police sources said that Niaz has been involved in cattle theft and dealing with stolen cattle for several years.

Niaz and three others who went with him were fleeing from angry residents after arguments related to a previous theft last time Niaz was seen. Mr.Sivakumar was one of the three accompanying Niaz, it is alleged.

Residents in Sorikalmunai and Savalakadai say that tension between the Muslim and Tamil communities escalating and villagers fear of violence breaking out.