UPFA candidate attacked in Ea’raavoor

[TamilNet, Sunday, 27 January 2008, 09:58 GMT]
Unidentified armed men attacked and injured the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) contestant, Mohamed Halitheen, in Batticaloa local government elections Saturday around 7:30 p.m in Sadam Hussein village in Ea’ravoor police division in Batticaloa district, according to a complaint lodged with E’raavoor police. Two youths, dressed in black, attacked the contestant as he was returning from a campaign meeting Saturday in Hithayath Nakar in Ea’raavoor, sources in Batticaloa said. The youths who attacked the candidate are alleged to be supporters of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC).

Two police personnel have been appointed as personal security officers for Mohamed Halitheen following the attack.

SLMC supporters earlier had allegedly warned the contestant that no one should campaign or vote for any party other than the SLMC, according to the complaint made to police.

Election related violent incidents are on the increase in the Muslim regions of Batticaloa district.

Vaazhaicheanai seen the most violent incidents taking place since the beginning of the week.

Ea’raavoor is located 14 km north of Batticaloa town.