STF behind massacre of 5 Tamils in Ampaa'rai - Parliamentarian

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 04 November 2008, 18:41 GMT]
Sri Lankan Special Task Force (STF) commandos at Kalmunai in Ampaa'rai opened fire on five Tamil youths who were at a liquor shop and attempted to create a story through police that the victims were Karuna cadres, TNA MP K. Pathmanathan said, citing the relatives of the victims. Later, the STF attempted to place the blame on Muslims, but some Tamil Muslim youths who had witnessed the killings had helped to avert confrontation between the Tamil, Muslim communities, the MP said.

The five victims were identified as Jeaysekar Thushanthan, 20, Rajakubenthan Yogaprakash, 28, Muthuppillai Sri Sutharshan, 28, Somasuntharam Karthik, 26 and Kathiravadivel Rajakuberan, 26, a married man, all residents of Kurunthaiyadi.

Local residents told the MP that a youth witness was also assaulted by the STF commandos, the MP said.

"The STF had tried to create a story that unidentified armed men had shot five TMVP youths. If the STF suspects someone they should arrest them and investigate whether they are involved or not. Killing them in cold blood exposes the impunity enjoyed by the Sri Lanka military and the continued gross human rights violations," Mr. Patmanathan said.

"The killing of Tamil civilians should be stopped immediately and the defence ministry should take action to prevent similar incidents taking place in the future," he added.

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