Muslim couple shot dead in Valaichenai

[TamilNet, Sunday, 20 November 2005, 09:26 GMT]
Unidentified gunmen shot and killed Mr. Meerasaivu Ahammed Lebbe, 44, and his wife Fowziya Lebbaithamby, 43, Sunday morning at 1:30 a.m. in Miravodai, a Muslim village 28 km nortwest of Batticaloa. Mr. Ahammad Lebbe, a Middle-East employement agent and a supporter of the United National Party, died on the spot at his house. The reason behind the killings is not known, Police said. Liberation Tigers allege that the post-poll violence in the district was caused by paramilitary cadres targeting to disrupt peace and understanding between Tamils and Muslims in the district.

Mrs. Lebbethamby Fowzia succumbed to her injuries at Batticaloa Hospital.

The incident took place at the couple's house on Madeena Road. The couple was at sleep when the assailants entered the house and shot the victims with T-56 rifle Valaichenai Police said.

Four Muslim worshippers were killed and more than 18 devotees were injured Friday morning when unidentified attackers lobbed grenades into the Akkraipattu Grand Mosque, 58 km south of Batticaloa in Amparai District.

Around 600 Tamil families and more than 100 Muslim families were displaced from the Tamil-Muslim border villages in Akkaraipattu following the incident.

A district-wide hartal to be observed on Monday has been called in Amparai.