Muslim youths attack CEB employee, damage vehicles in Kaaththaankudi

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 04 June 2008, 12:51 GMT]
Two vehicles belonging to Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), Kalladi in Batticaloa district, escorted by Special Task Force (STF) troops, were attacked Monday noon at Telecommunication centre junction, Kaaththaankudi by a mob of Muslim youths, resulting in an employee of CEB being injured and both CEB vehicles receiving damages, officials form Kallady CEB office said.

At the time of the attack, the youths in the area were involved in a protest organized by the Jumaid Ulamas (Muslim scholars) from Kaaththaankudi condemning the recent incidents of violence in Kaaththaankudi and Aarayampathi and demanding that the recently elected Muslim councilors in Eastern Province Council (EPC) resign their posts.

The protestors were burning tires on various points along the main road, and the CEB vehicles proceeding from Ampaa'rai towards Batticaloa at the time were randomly targeted by the rioting mob, eye witness said.

A complaint regarding this unprovoked attack on the CEB vehicles and employees was lodged at Kaaththaankudi Police, a spokesman for CEB, Kalladi office said.

Meanwhile, two Muslim youths traveling in a three wheeler from Kaaththaankudi towards Batticaloa were waylaid by unidentified youths near Batticaloa GV private hospital and assaulted. As a result of the attack the business establishments in Batticaloa and Kaaththaankudi have been shut down and transport services have been affected.

A large number of Police and Special Task Force (STF) troops have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order.

Tension continues to run high in Kaaththaankudi for the past few days.

In addition there has been Hartal (shut down) in Ka'luthaava'lai in the aftermath of the killing of two TMVP Pillayan group operatives including the deputy chairman of Eruvilpattu Piratheasa Chapai (Pradeshiya Sabah) Monday in Eruvil, Batticaloa when unidentified gunmen opened fire on them.

Deputy Chairman, Aiyaathurai Pushpanathan alias Kattaalan, an operative of the PS, was killed on the spot. His associate, Arasathurai Mohanarajan alias Anpuraj, who is also a TMVP operative who is from Pazhukaamam was seriously injured and succumbed to his injuries later at the hospital.

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