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August 22, 2011
(Colombo) A 23-year old policeman was hacked and beaten to death by a Muslim mob in north-western Sri Lanka where clashes between residents and security forces have been reported over the past week, officials said on Monday.
The policeman on traffic duty was hit with swords, iron rods and poles late on Sunday in Puttalam, 180km north of Colombo.
"Two unarmed policemen encountered a Muslim mob," a senior police official said. "One of them had run away, and the other was attacked without any provocation."
The policeman on traffic duty was hit with swords, iron rods and poles late on Sunday in Puttalam, 180km north of Colombo.
"Two unarmed policemen encountered a Muslim mob," a senior police official said. "One of them had run away, and the other was attacked without any provocation."
Around 25 suspects were arrested over the killing of Police Sergeant Nawarathna Bandara who was attached to the Puttalam Police traffic unit, Puttalam Police sources said.
Around 15 suspects were arrested in connection with the murder, while 10 were arrested over their involvement in the commotion.
The Police recorded statements from around 100 persons in connection with the incident. Police are investigating how a large number of people were mobilized to attack the Security Forces members suddenly with swords and clubs.
Eyewitnesses said the 23-year-old constable was on his way back to the station after traffic duty when he was severely assaulted by the angry mob in front of the Sathosa retail outlet.Witnesses said the mob blamed the police for a spate of recent incidents in which unknown men entered villages and harassed women.
Hours earlier, unknown assailants entered a village near Puttalam and injured five people, including a woman and child, with gunfire.
On Friday night, a woman claimed that attackers entered her home and scratched her with a sharp instrument.
More than 2000 Muslims gathered near the mosque in Puttalam after Sunday's attack, but soldiers opened fire to keep the crowd away.
Several clashes between security forces and Muslims living in coastal areas have been reported this month.
The army killed one person in a Muslim crowd on August 12 in the south-eastern village of Potuvil. The local people claimed intruders were sexually harassing village women.
On August 15, Muslims protested in the north-eastern village of Kinniya, claiming three unknown people had been found in the village at night and later escaped into a navy camp in the area.
Villagers burned tyres and held a government official hostage for hours until several people previously arrested were released.
Hours earlier, unknown assailants entered a village near Puttalam and injured five people, including a woman and child, with gunfire.
On Friday night, a woman claimed that attackers entered her home and scratched her with a sharp instrument.
More than 2000 Muslims gathered near the mosque in Puttalam after Sunday's attack, but soldiers opened fire to keep the crowd away.
Several clashes between security forces and Muslims living in coastal areas have been reported this month.
The army killed one person in a Muslim crowd on August 12 in the south-eastern village of Potuvil. The local people claimed intruders were sexually harassing village women.
On August 15, Muslims protested in the north-eastern village of Kinniya, claiming three unknown people had been found in the village at night and later escaped into a navy camp in the area.
Villagers burned tyres and held a government official hostage for hours until several people previously arrested were released.
