Security tightened as violence increases

[TamilNet, Monday, 12 November 2001, 21:12 GMT]
The Inspector General of Police Monday instructed all officers-in-charge of police stations through out the island to tighten security in their areas to curb election violence. The I.G.P.'s instruction has come in the wake of increasing incidence of election violence, police sources said. Meanwhile fifty-one complaints of election violence have been reported during the last twenty fours, the Police Election Secretariat said Monday.

This is the highest number of complaints recorded so far in one day, the police said.

The Police Election Secretariat said it has received 563 complaints of violence since the nominations were filed on 27 October. Of them, the UNP has lodged 284 complaints, 190 by ruling PA and 31 by the Marxist Janata Vimukthi Peramuna, police said.

Meanwhile unidentified armed men shot at the convoy in which Mr.Arumugam Thondaman, former minister and the leader of Ceylon Workers Congress was travelling last night at Pussellawa in the central province. Three of Mr.Thondaman's supporters travelling in one of the vehicle received gunshot injuries, police said.

In the meantime, an election rally of the UNP held Monday evening at Matale in central province came under attack and the stage had been set on fire by some persons, suspected to be of ruling People's Alliance. The Police said three persons were wounded in the violence.