2ND LEAD

Two youths shot and killed in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 28 December 2005, 12:01 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army soldiers manning the checkpoint at Mutthirai Junction, located on Jaffna - Point Pedro Road near Nallur, stopped two youths who came in a motorbike and shot dead both of them after beating one of them against a wall. The incident took place Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. Civilian sources said that the youths were inebriated after a party, and stopped only at a distance from the checkpoint when the soldiers ordered them to stop. Jaffna Police said that the SLA soldiers had recovered a grenade from the killed youths but witnesses said the youths were unarmed. Meanwhile, two SLA soldiers were wounded in two different grenade attacks in Jaffna Wednesday.

The two youths, Yogarajah Gajendran, 21, from Kolumbuthurai, Ariyalai, and Paranchothy Theepan, 27, from Kanduvil Veethy, Ariyalai, were part of a group of eight who came in four motor bikes. Youths riding in the other three motor bikes had escaped. All were involved in sand excavation business, residents said.

The bodies have been taken to Jaffna hospital by the Police.

Acting Judge of Jaffna District Mrs. Sarojini Ilankovan, visited the hospital mortuary to inspect the bodies, medical sources said.

Two SLA soldiers were wounded in two different grenade attacks, one in Urumpirai Junction at 1:30 p.m. and another at Punnalaikadduvan at 2:30 p.m., Police sources said.