EPDP MP further remanded for Kayts murder

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 29 January 2002, 18:05 GMT]
The non-summary proceedings in the Naranthanai election murder case commenced Tuesday before the Jaffna Magistrate Mr. R. T. Viknaraja. Three persons, including Mr. N. Mathanarajan, the Eelam People's Democratic Party MP for Jaffna, have been charged on 29 counts including murder, attempted murder, causing grievous hurt by assaulting candidates and supporters of the Tamil National Alliance with iron rods, weapons and clubs and unlawful assembly in Naranthanai in the island of Kayts off Jaffna on November 28.

Only two of the accused, Mr. Mathanarajan and 'Jeevan', a cadre of the EPDP, were produced in court Tuesday.

The EPDP is a major constituent of the People's Alliance of President Chandrika Kumaratunga. Mr. Douglas Devananda and Mr. N. Mathanarajan were the only EPDP candidates who were elected MPs at the general elections on 5 December 2001. The TNA routed the EPDP in the north and east.

The third accused, 'Napolean', the military commander of the EPDP in the island of Kayts, was not produced in court as he is still evading arrest, the police told court. Armed cadres of the EPDP work with the Sri Lanka Navy and the Sri Lanka army in Jaffna.

The evidence of Kanakaretnam Nadaraja who is a supporter of the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO) was recorded Tuesday. TELO is a constituent of the TNA.

The Magistrate put off further hearing on the case for January 31.

The two accused were ordered further remand.

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