Hartal in Akkaraipattu

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 05 September 2000, 10:25 GMT]
A hartal is being observed Tuesday in Akkaraipattu in the Ampara district to protest against the killing of two supporters of Mr.Segu Issadden, a former UNP Parliamentarian, at Varapaththansenai on Monday.

All the shops and schools are shut for the day, according to sources in the area. Government institutions are working with a skeleton staff. Vehicular movements in the town have almost come to a standstill, said the sources.

Mr.Segu Issadeen handed in his nomination papers on behalf of the United National Party on Monday. When he was returning with his supporters and body guards in a vehicle to Akkaraipattu, he was waylaid at Varapathanasenai at around 4 p.m. by unidentified gunmen. The gunmen fired at his vehicle and attacked it with stones. Five people were wounded, two of whomw later died.

In 1994 general election, Mr.Segu Issadeen worked for the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC). Later he resigned from the SLMC and joined the United National Party (UNP). The UNP then appointed him a National List MP.