Newspaper delivery agent shot dead in Kalmunai

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 29 June 2005, 10:20 GMT]
Mr Arasakumar Kannamuthu, 38, a newspaper delivery agent for Batticaloa Eelanatham newspaper, was shot and killed by unidentified gunmen Wednesday morning around 8.45 am. The killing took place at Matupola in Kalmunai- Akkaraipattu road, a Sri Lanka Army (SLA) held place 50 km south of Batticaloa. The victim was on his route to Oluvil in a motorbike after delivering newspaper to Ninthavoor newspaper agent, sources said.

Arasakumar was shot by two gunmen riding a motorbike, according to the farmers in the area.

The gunmen had used 9 mm handgun, according to the Sammanthurai Police conducting investigations into the killing. Gunmen had shot the victim twice in his neck.

Arasakumar, also known as Boby, is from Kokkaddicholai and a father of 3 children. Arasakumar began his carrier as a paperboy and later became an agent delivering newspaper in bulk to shops in Amparai district.

Karuna Group had earlier threatened newspaper agents in Batticaloa and Amparai districts over phone and via fax, newspaper agents in Amparai said.

Eelanatham Batticaloa edition is the only newspaper published in LTTE held area in Batticaloa Amparai.

Sammanthurai Police Officer In-Charge (OIC) Seran Perera is conducting investigations into the killing.