Trader shot dead in Vaddukkoddai

[TamilNet, Sunday, 28 May 2006, 12:48 GMT]
The owner of a communications center located in Moolai road in Vaddukkodai, Valigamam, Jaffna was shot dead and a friend of his seriously injured by gunshot wounds at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, sources in Jaffna said. Gunmen, alleged to be belonging to paramiitaries working with Sri Lanka Army (SLA) intelligence, bound the hands of the two, took them to an area behind the shop, and sprayed the men with bullets from short range, sources said.

Pooranam Sabesan, 26, was killed on the spot and his friend Thehilarajah, 26, was wounded in the attack.

Thehilarajah has been taken to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital and doctors are performing urgent surgery to save his life, medical sources said.

Meanwhile, unknown gunmen who visited another video shop close to Sabesan's buisness, threatened the employees by brandishing a hand grenade, took their photographs and disappeared from the area.

Tensions prevails in the area, and local residents and business owners are shocked and intimidated by the threats and killing,