21 PERSONS ARRESTED OVER NINDAVUR CLASH

November 19, 2013 

Twenty-one persons have been arrested in connection with the clash between residents and Polcie Special Task Force (STF) personnel in the Nindavur area in Sammanturai.

The Police Spokesman’s Office stated that the group was arrested for allegedly provoking the acts of violence and are charged burning tyres and causing damage to the roads, casing inconvenience to the public and for taking part in an illegal gathering. 

Eight motorcycles and 20 bicycles have also been taken into custody in addition to the suspects. 

Two police officers who had visited the location of the incident during the clash on Sunday (17) have been assaulted by residents in the area and are currently treatment at the Sammanturai Hospital, police said.

However, the resident claim that two individuals dressed in civilian attire were among the STF personnel who had arrived and suspect they were involved in certain illegal activities which had taken place in the area in recent times. 

Under the instruction of the Senior DIG in charge of the Eastern Province, Pujitha Jayasundara, a special investigation in being carried out regarding the accusations made by the residents of Nindavur, the Police Spokesman’s office said. 

VIDEO: PROTESTERS TEARGASED IN NINDAVUR...

Police today (Nov. 19) used tear gas to disperse a crowd protesting in the Nindavur area since yesterday while blocking the Akkaraipattu-Kalmunai road. A tense situation erupted in the Nindavur area of Sammanthurai on November 17 after an argument between residents and a group of STF officers spiraled out of control.  The Police Spokesman’s office stated that two STF officers had been hospitalised following the clash and that the residents blockaded the Akkaraipattu-Kalmunai road yesterday and engaged in a demonstration.