Four shot dead in Vavuniya

[TamilNet, Sunday, 16 May 1999, 10:21 GMT]
Four young men have been killed in various places in Vavuniya last night, Polices in the northern town said. Ex-militant sources said the killings are deemed to be connected to the ongoing clashes between the paramilitary groups, the TELO and PLOTE, over the past six months.

The police said an unidentified youth of about 15 years was found dead at Goodhsed Road in Vavuniya early this morning.

The neck of the dead boy had been cut and his hands were tied behind his back, said the people in the neighbourhood who had seen the body.

At a lane near Gamini Maha Vidyalayam off Mannar Road, a youth of about 17 years was found shot dead.

Another one was shot dead near the Muniyappar Kovil (temple) in Ukkulankulam, a few km south west of Vavuniya town.

The fourth body was found in the Koomankulam area, sources said.

Yesterday evening, two TELO central committee members and a group's sympathiser were shot dead at Bambalapitiya. They were shot at by two unidentified gunmen, about 200 metres from the PLOTE's office.

A senior member of the TELO, Mr.A.Adaikkalanathan, MP, has blamed the PLOTE for the killings in Colombo.

The police said they believe that 9 mm pistols have been used in the killing.

The PLOTE and TELO are paramilitary organisations that work with the Army in areas that it controls and in operations against the Liberation Tigers.

The recent spate of clashes between the two erupted over rights to levy 'taxes' from traders in Vavuniya.

Related Articles:
15.05.99   Senior TELO members shot dead in Colombo
04.02.99   Para military groups clash in Vavuniya
12.02.98   More internecine clashes in Jaffna