SLA shoots dead Tamil youth in Chiththaa'ndi

[TamilNet, Monday, 09 July 2007, 00:01 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) shot dead a Tamil youth at Chiththaa'ndi Murugan Koayil Road in Ea'raavoor Police division in Batticaloa district at 11:10 p.m. on Saturday, civil sources said. Ea'raavoor Police recovered the body of the victim, Konamalai Rajikumar, 18, of Kaali Koayil Road, Chiththaa'ndi, at 1:00 p.m. Sunday.

Police claimed that Rajikumar was an LTTE cadre, and had attacked SLA foot patrol Saturday night. Rajikumar was killed by SLA retaliatory fire and other members of the attack group escaped leaving the body of the victim behind, Police added.

Police also said they recovered two hand grenades and a cyanide capsule in Rajikumar's possession.

The body was first taken to the Ea'raavoor District hospital and was handed over to the relatives after the post-mortem examinations. Ea'raavoor Police is conducting further enquiries.

In the meantime, SLA conducted a cordon and search operation in the area Sunday morning.

Chiththaa'ndi is situated 22 km north of Batticaloa.