Unruly elements create violence in B'caloa

By M. I. Farook, Batticaloa district group cor.

Eastern Provincial Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan yesterday blamed certain elements who are trying to create violence to ignite communal divisions among the people in Batticaloa.

The violence that emerged in the area in the past few days is good proof of the attempt by such unruly elements, Chief Minister Chandrakanthan told a press briefing at his office at Lake Road, Batticaloa on Friday.

The Chief Minister told a meeting that people should be very vigilant and should not fall prey to these elements. He said an office would be set up in Batticaloa to promote goodwill among people living in the eastern province.

It will not be easy to usher in peace in the eastern province through violence. The Tamil and Muslim communities must promote goodwill and understanding between them. I became the Chief Minister following the Provincial Council election for the East.

M. L. A. M. Hizbullah became the provincial minister. Some are opposed to our democratic path. A third party is trying to induce violence between Tamils and Muslims in the area. They have now been identified.

A large number of people from many parts of the country are perturbed about the situation in the Eastern province.

People in the Batticaloa district have been affected due to the violence. He said media personnel should highlight the truth. Those who encourage violence would be brought before the law.

I made a humble request to the police to render their services without any discrimination.

Provincial Minister, M. L. A. M. Hizbullah, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Eastern Province Nihal Samarakoon, high ranking security officials and religious leaders were also present.