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Curfew Imposed As Lanka Tamil-Muslim Riots Continue
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| Funeral of a Muslim died in the Tamil-Muslim clashes in Sri Lanka |
By IOL South Asia Correspondent
NEW DELHI, June 29 (IslamOnline) - The ongoing violence in Sri Lanka between Tamils and Muslims has so far left at least five dead and over 35 and injured. To bring the situation under control, government imposed curfews and banned demonstrations Friday, June 28, 2002.
The measures were taken after four overnight arson attacks, in which Muslim shops were targeted. More than ten places of worship were damaged in Eastern province, which has been since placed under curfew.
A government statement said police and troops had been ordered to strictly enforce a round-the-clock curfew in Kalkudah in Batticaloa district. However, Muslims were allowed to attend Friday prayers despite curfew.
Curfew was imposed Thursday, June 27, 2002, in Valaichchenai but was later extended to the rest of the surrounding district of Kalkudah, home to a population of 225,000 persons. The district is 220 km (135 miles) east of the national capital, Colombo.
Schools, shops, businesses and government offices were closed and residents were urged to stay indoors.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe issued instructions to bring the situation under control. Three senior ministers -- Karu Jayasuriya, John Amaratunga and Rauf Hakeem -- conducted an on-the-spot inquiry Thursday. Defense Secretary Austin Fernando and Acting Police Chief T. Anandarajah also visited the Valaichchenai area in a special Air Force helicopter to review the situation.
Three top Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) members, who are ministers in the government, formed a high-level trouble shooting team.
Wanni Development Minister Noordeen Mashoor, Highways Minister ALM Ataullah and Deputy Minister Mohideen Abdul Cader visited the worst-affected areas of Valaichchenai and Ottamawadi in the Batticaloa district.
Port Development and Shipping Minister and Leader of the Muslim Congress Rauf Hakeem would be touring the region Saturday.
The violence broke out between Tamils and Muslims in Muthur near Trincomalee a week ago. The violence followed a general strike called by Muslims to protest the alleged extortion by separatist Tamil Tigers and later on attacks by Tamils.
Also, many civilian groups in the region alleged that the Tigers were responsible for inciting the present violence although they were not directly involved.
Muslims in the eastern province are mostly farmers and traders. Extortion by the Tigers has always been a cause of resentment. The Tigers are yet to show any signs of refraining from this unpopular practice.
Another important factor is that the Muslims have been increasingly feeling left out of the current peace process between the government and Tamil Tigers.
Those who oppose the peace process in the country might be helping to incite the trouble. Divide between the Tamils and Muslims is only widening, which is a subject of concern for the tiny island
nation.
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