Youth injured in shooting incident in Vadamaraadchi

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 09 April 2008, 14:31 GMT]
Unidentified armed men, lying in ambush, opened rapid fire Monday around 7:00 p.m on a group of men engaged in illegal excavation of sand in Vallipurakkoayil area in Vadamaraadchi, seriously injuring one, sources in Vadamaraadchi said. Despite Point Pedro Magistrate Court’s action against sand pilfering, groups backed by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) continue to steal sand, particularly during curfew hours, the sources added.

The youth injured was identified as K. Thusikanthan, 23, of Thunnaalai in Karaveddi, Vadamaraadchi.

Millions of rupees are swindled by taking away sand illegaly for construction purposes, according to residents.

Journalist Ramachandran, who had publicized this racket, had mysteriously disappeared, allegedly abducted by people involved in this illegal sand excavation.

The sand excavating party was traveling in a Cantor type vehicle when the gunmen opened fire.

The other men in the party junmped out of the vehicle and ran away on foot.

SLA conducted a search operation immediately after the shooting.

Thusikanthan was first admitted to Manthikai government hospital and then transferred to Jaffna Teaching Hospital for additional treatment.

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