12 Muslim houses torched in Akkaraippattu

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 04 September 2007, 14:28 GMT]
A gang of ten Sinhala thugs armed with sharp instruments entered through the borders of Oluvil, and Pa'l'lakkaadu and set fire to 12 Muslim homes in Ashraff town in Akkaraippattu police division in Amparai district Monday evening around 6:00 p.m., local residents said.

The mob rushed into the Muslim area and after chasing out the occupants set the houses on fire and fled from the scene.

The occupants of these houses are homeless and are seeking help from the local NGOs to provide the basic necessities and shelter. Tension grips Ashraff town, and the victims fear for their lives.

The mob had threatened the residents and warned that the area was the Holy Land of Sinhalese and no one else should live in the area.

Police had commenced investigation but no arrests have been made, Akkaraippattu police said.