Gambling youth killed by suspected Islamic militants

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 01 September 2004, 06:23 GMT]
A Muslim youth was killed and three wounded when gunmen suspected to be militants of an Islamic fundamentalist group lobbed a grenade and opened fire on the four who were gambling in Saddam Hussein Village, a suburb of Eravur town, 14 kilometres north of Batticaloa, Tuesday night around 11.30, Police said. An armed Islamic militant group has been active in Muslim towns and villages north of Batticaloa since early this year, warning Muslims against gambling, drinking, prostitution and un Islamic religious practices in local Mosques.

In the past, the group has attacked places showing porn videos and gamblers with Molotov cocktails in Oddamavadi, 34 kilometres north of Batticaloa.

Eravur Police said the murdered youth was identified as Mr. M. Fairooz,24. Two of his colleagues who were seriously wounded, Mr. S. Hakeem, 22, and U.L Majeed, 24, are recieving treatment in the Batticaloa hospital.

The fourth person who sustained minor injuries in the attack was discharged, Police said.