Attack on MP’s house repulsed

[TamilNet, Saturday, 25 September 1999, 12:54 GMT]
An attack by unidentified gunmen on the Police unit guarding the residence of V.Balachandran MP, for the Vanni district, was repulsed at about 11 pm last night, said Police sources.

The MP is from the Democratic People's Liberation Organization, the Political wing of the People’s Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE).

The attack and the return fire continued for over 20 minutes residents of the area said.

They said that this the third attempted attack on the residence of the MP. The second such attack took place on July 1 this year and a Policeman and a home-guard were killed.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Security forces in Vavuniya advised the villagers in the regions bordering Tamil and Sinhala areas, to live peacefully with other communities.

The residents have been instructed to maintain a cordial relationship with people from other communities.

Villagers said the instructions were announced over loud speakers and meetings were held at Madukande and Kudakachchakodi.

Sources said that this announcement and meetings come in the wake of attacks on welfare centres by unknown armed men last week.