Protests after policeman's killing

[TamilNet, Friday, 15 May 1998, 23:59 GMT]
Activity in Akkaraipattu town, 50 km south of Batticaloa, drew to a halt as Muslims in the area organised a two day hartal today, in protest of the killing of police constable Bahurdeen in a mosque around 10:00 p.m. yesterday, said sources.

Bahurdeen, from Ninthavur, had been shot by a man in Muslim garb and wearing the traditional Muslim religious cap. After the shooting, the public had tried to apprehend the assassin at which point he had detonated a grenade and escaped, said sources.

Three persons, Sathar, Rafideen and S. Abdul Salam were injured by the blast.

Meanwhile, a Muslim militant group has issued a statement blaming the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and stating that the Tamils of Akkaraipattu supported the LTTE.

The statement said that these acts would only spark off communalism in Akkaraipattu.

The provocative pamphlet asked rhetorically "Are you playing blood sports, or are you playing with fire?" said sources.