SLMC supporters show displeasure for defector

[TamilNet, Saturday, 17 July 1999, 19:55 GMT]
Supporters of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) threw stones and burnt tyres when Myown Mustapha, a former SLMC politician who joined the UNP last week, was taken in a motorcade from Amparai to Thuraineelavanai this evening, said residents.

In the 1994 general elections Myown Mustapha, a well-known industrialist in Batticaloa and Colombo, worked for the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress as their national organiser.

Differences of opinion arose between him and the founder President of the SLMC, M.H.M.Ashraff, resulting in the expulsion Myown Mustapha from the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress.

After remaining silent for some time Myown Mustapha joined the UNP.

Elaborate arrangements were made to welcome Myown Mustapha today.

He arrived in Amparai, from where he was taken in a motorcade to Thuraineelavanai, accompanied by the UNP MP for Batticaloa, Ali Zahir Moulana and former UNP parliamentarian, A.R.M. Munsoor.

When the motorcade arrived at the Kalmunaikudi junction, stones were thrown at the vehicles in the motorcade, said residents. Tyres were seen burning on middle of the road, they further said. Some vehicles were damaged. The police then removed all burning tyres and opened fire in the air to stop the stone throwing.

UNP supporters in the area alleged that SLMC supporters were behind the incidents.

However, the motorcade arrived at Thuraineelavanai without any further attack, UNP sources said.