Hartal called in Kattankudy

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 28 April 1999, 18:46 GMT]
A full day hartal was observed today in Kattankudy, a town in the Batticaloa district, to protest against the alleged assault on a Muslim boutique-keeper and his children by unknown persons last night, residents said.

Last night, some persons said to be in army uniforms went to the shop and pulled out its owner and assaulted him. It was also alleged that the shopkeeper's children were severely assaulted.

A few days ago, an ex- member of the Araiampathy Pradeshiya Sabah, M.Jamaldeen, was shot dead in front of a shop in Kattankudy by some people.

The deceased Jamaldeen was a member of TELO and had close contacts with the security forces, sources said.

Today, the whole of Kattankuddy, the most densely populated town in the east, came to a standstill when people observed hartal by closing down all shops, markets and other public places in protest to the alleged assault on the shop owner.