Hartal observed in Kaaththaankudi

[TamilNet, Monday, 02 June 2008, 08:48 GMT]
Kaaththaankudi came to a stand when traders observed a shutdown Monday in protest against the killing of the Muslim vegetable trader from Kaaththaankudi Sunday in Batticaloa. Following the interment of the remains of the victim Monday morning, more than 3000 Muslims protested condemning Pillayan paramilitary group and the government of Sri Lanka, sources in Kaaththaankudi said.

Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops, Special Task Force (STF) commandos and policemen jointly maintained order besides providing security to the vehicles passing through Kaaththaankudi Main Street.

All shops, schools, private and public institutions remained closed.

The protestors held placards with slogans against Pillyan paramilitary group and the government.

When the protestors tried to enter the Main Street in Kaaththaankudi the police prevented them and forced them to disperse.

Muslims from Kaaththaankudi armed with knives and machetes cut injured four Tamil building masons returning to Aarayampathi after work Sunday around 5:30 p.m, in the boundary area between Kaaththaankudi and Aaryampathi following the recovery of the corpse of a Muslim vegetable trader in Batticaloa Sunday around 1:30 p.m. The Muslim mob, trying to enter into the Tamil village of Aarayampathi, was held back police and STF commandos deployed in the said area.

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