4TH LEAD

STF opens fire on Muslim protestors, mother killed, youth wounded

[TamilNet, Monday, 26 May 2008, 15:17 GMT]
Sri Lanka Special Task Force (STF) commandos in Ea'raavor opened fire on Muslim civilians who protested against the abduction of two Muslim youths by the TMVP paramilitary by blocking the Vaazhaichcheani Batticaloa main road Monday around 5:00 p.m., killing a mother and wounding a 24-year-old youth, according to initial reports. The protests intensified as another Muslim from Ea'raavoor, was abducted Monday by the paramilitary and subjected to torture inside a Coconut farm in Thannaamunai. He was freed by the Sri Lankan forces. Around 300 families of both the communities have displaced from the border areas. A police curfew was imposed at 6:00 p.m.

Protests intensified as Mohamed Ramees, 28, who was beaten and wounded, returned to his hometown Ea'raavoor.

STF personnel dispersed the protestors who were burning tires on the road near a petrol station in Ea'raavoor. The STF later withdrew from the site, unable to control the crowd.

Meanwhile, a lorry and two buses were attacked by the Muslim youth in Ea'raavoor prompting the STF to return to the site. Two Tamils were wounded in the riot.

When the STF returned, Muslim women including the mothers of the two Muslim youths yet to be released by the TMVP, were blocking the road in protest. The STF personnel who attempted to disperse the crowd opened fire as they were stoned by an angry mob. A 48-year-old mother, Noor Mohamed Suliah, was killed on the spot and a youth, Saheel, 24, was admitted at Ea'raavoor hospital.

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