LTTE condemns attack on Muslims in Allai Nagar

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 22 April 2003, 16:54 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Tuesday said it strongly condemns the attack on a group of Muslim people at Allai Nagar in Thoppur in the Muttur division Tuesday morning. "We believe that it is the work of forces working against peace," said the LTTE’s Trincomalee district military commander, Colonel Pathuman, in a press release Tuesday, sources said.

The LTTE’s statement follows:

"Discussions took place on April 21 between representatives of the LTTE and Muslim organizations. An agreement was reached at the discussion to work for peace and to abandon violence by both communities.

"However, today (Tuesday) morning a group of Muslim people has been attacked. We strongly condemn this attack. We categorically state that we are not involved in such attacks.

"We believe that anti-peace elements are responsible for this attack on Muslim people. We appeal to Tamil and Muslim peoples to show restraint and to identify the forces who work against the peace process thus ensuring peace in the area," said Colonel Pathuman.

Sporadic incidents are reported to have taken place in villages in the Muttur division Monday and Tuesday, in which two civilians were killed, sources said.