2ND LEAD

3 Karuna paramilitary cadres shot dead in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Monday, 18 December 2006, 07:42 GMT]
Unidentified armed men using pistols shot dead on the spot Monday around 8:30 a.m three cadres of Karuna paramilitary group standing along the Main Road near Chenkalady market in the Earvur police division in Batticaloa, sources in Batticaloa said. One civilian, standing by and seriously injured in the shooting was first rushed to Chenkalady hospital and later transferred to Batticaloa Teaching hospital for further treatment.

The three dead victims were identified as Sellathamby Suthan, 22 of Krishnan temple road, Valaichenai, Packiarasa Nithyarasa allias Illamoliyan, 20 of Kalmadu road, Vinayagapuram, Valaichenai and M. Iniyavan 18, of Kali Kovil road, Mavadivembu.

The injured civilian is identified as Kathirgamathamby Kovinthan, an auto rickshaw driver from Uma Mill road in Kommanthurai, Batticaloa.

The assailants escaped from the site of shooting where the police conducted a search blocking traffic for some time.

Chenkalady police are investigating into the killings.

The three dead bodies are kept at Eravur hospital morgue.

Chenkalady is located 16 km north of Batticaloa town.