2ND LEAD

Paramilitary operatives clash in Aaraiyampathi, Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Monday, 21 April 2008, 18:18 GMT]
Five supporters of Tamil Democratic National Alliance (TDNA) were seriously injured by paramilitary operatives of Tamil Makkal Viduthali Puligal (TMVP) Monday afternoon in Thaa'langkudaa in Aaraiyampathi division of Batticaloa district.

The supporters were attacked while involved in election propaganda in the area for the forthcoming Batticaloa provincial elections, the principal candidate of TDNA and the leader of opposition of Batticaloa Municipal Council Ira.Thurairatnam told media.

The TVMP political orgainizer for Aaraiyampathi, Santhan Alias Sashi arrived with his colleagues in a white van and attacked the TDNA supporters with rods and bats wounding them seriously. The attackers fled the scene warning the TDNA supporters not to come into this area for election canvassing.

The victims identified as Vadivel Anpalagan, 30, Pararajasingham, 40, Thayaparan.37, Prakash, 27 and Petthamparam, 30 have been admitted at Batticaloa Teaching Hospital.

Area residents have expressed grave concern about the incidences of violence in the area and fear that the clashes between Tamils Political groups might escalate in the days leading towards the 10 May election.