22 election related violence reported before nomination day
[TamilNet, Wednesday, 16 December 2009, 13:34 GMT]
About twenty two cases of poll-related incidents of violence and
intimidation have been reported to independent election observers.
Majority of complaints have been made by the main opposition United
National Party (UNP) and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), according to
Mr.Keerthi Tennakoon, co-coordinator of the Campaign for Free and Fair
Elections (CaFFe).
He added more election violence could be expected if the authorities
fail to implement required legislation in fair manner. Meanwhile a supporter of General (retd) Sarath Fonseka was abducted
and assaulted and later dumped on the road side in Matara, south of
the country, according to police reports. The victim S.Sarath, 32, had been taken away in a vehicle by a group of persons to the office of a provincial council member and badly assaulted. He has been admitted to
the Matara government hospital. In another incident a large cut-out of
General Fonseka was set on fire by ruling party supporters in Nupe in
Matara. According to a complaint with the police by the person who had
put up the cut-out, he had claimed that it had cost Rs: 50,000/=.
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