STF attack prompts hartal in Kaluwanchikudy

[TamilNet, Monday, 20 October 2003, 04:43 GMT]
The people of Kaluwanchikudy in the Amparai district observed a hartal (general shutdown) on Saturday to protest an attack carried out by personnel of the Special Task Force (STF) against an innocent civilian, sources said.

According to the sources, the STF personnel visited the Mohan Stores in Kaluwanchikudy Saturday and demanded that the store’s owner, Mr. Thiruvilangam, give them merchandise on credit. When the owner refused, the STF personnel verbally abused him and then attacked a civilian, Mr. K. Amarasingham, who was standing in front of the store.

Mr. Amarasingham was admitted to the Kaulwanchikudy hospital with grievous injuries.

Angered by the STF's attack on the civilian, the public blocked roads and prevented traffic. All busines establishments were shut down.

Mr. G. Krishnapillai, the Amparai district parliamentarian, Mr. A. Wickremaratne, the Officer in Charge of the Kaluwanchikudy Police station, and Mr. Jamaldeen, the Deputy Superintendent of Police in Kaluwanchikudy, intervened with the public and the hartal was discontinued in the afternoon, the sources said.