Four university students supporting the JVP in Moneragala assaulted
September 8, 2014
Four university students who were campaigning for the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) were assaulted at Maduruketiya, Moneragala today (September 8) around 6.30 am by a group travelling in a Defender Jeep without number plates. One of the students was abducted and was later left on the roadside after further assault, Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) observers claim.
Although attacks by armed men travelling in unmarked Defender Jeeps have become common in Moneragala this is the first abduction and assault these men have made. This indicates that they are gradually increasing thier level of violence as the election draws near.
The students were staying at JVP Moneragala candidate Palliyaguruge Wijesiri and they were assaulted when they went for a wash at the tube well in front of Wijesiri's house. The students were beaten with clubs and the student who was abducted has wounds on his head, neck and arms.
Wijesiri's house was shot and attacked a few weeks ago. Armed men in unmarked vehicles had arrived and destroyed his election cutouts. After the continuous attacks on JVP supporters and offices in Moneragala a large number of youth from other area, including around 100 university students, have arrived to assist the JVPers in Moneragala. The students often address pocket meetings and conduct door to door canvassing, and CaFFE believes that the assailants were trying to intimidate students by this attack.
Wijesiri's house, at Moneragala - Wellawaya road, is less than 50 metres from a temporary police check point. However an unmarked Defender Jeep with armed men were allowed to pass the check point and it must be noted that security is beefed up in Moneragala due to an army event.
CaFFE believes that there is a systematic campaign to target opposition activists and the attack on houses of candidates and grassrooots activists shows that the assailants are intensifying their attacks and broadening their targets.(CaFFE)
September 8, 2014 Four university students who were campaigning for the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) were assaulted at Maduruketiya, Moneragala today (September 8) around 6.30 am by a group travelling in a Defender Jeep without number plates. One of the students was abducted and was later left on the roadside after further assault, Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) observers claim.
Although attacks by armed men travelling in unmarked Defender Jeeps have become common in Moneragala this is the first abduction and assault these men have made. This indicates that they are gradually increasing thier level of violence as the election draws near.
The students were staying at JVP Moneragala candidate Palliyaguruge Wijesiri and they were assaulted when they went for a wash at the tube well in front of Wijesiri's house. The students were beaten with clubs and the student who was abducted has wounds on his head, neck and arms.
Wijesiri's house was shot and attacked a few weeks ago. Armed men in unmarked vehicles had arrived and destroyed his election cutouts. After the continuous attacks on JVP supporters and offices in Moneragala a large number of youth from other area, including around 100 university students, have arrived to assist the JVPers in Moneragala. The students often address pocket meetings and conduct door to door canvassing, and CaFFE believes that the assailants were trying to intimidate students by this attack.
Wijesiri's house, at Moneragala - Wellawaya road, is less than 50 metres from a temporary police check point. However an unmarked Defender Jeep with armed men were allowed to pass the check point and it must be noted that security is beefed up in Moneragala due to an army event.
CaFFE believes that there is a systematic campaign to target opposition activists and the attack on houses of candidates and grassrooots activists shows that the assailants are intensifying their attacks and broadening their targets.(CaFFE)
