21 arrested in Ampara unrest [November 19 2013]

At least 21 people were taken into custody in connection with the public unrest in Ampara following clashes between the Police Special Task Force and the people in Nindavur in Samanthurai through out yesterday, the police said.

A large number of residents in Nindavur area took to the streets on Sunday night protesting against a group of persons amongst the STF personnel who were in civvies, who were alleged to have engaged in antisocial activities in the area.

The angry mob have turned the protest into a harthal with setting fire to tyres and blocking Kalmunai – Akkaraipattu main road for almost 36 hours. The police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd and a force of 300 policemen were deployed to restore the peace in the area.

Along with the suspects the police also took 08 motorcycles and 19 push cycles into custody. DIG Ampara Division V Indran is conducting investigations whilst a special inquiry against the STF is conducted by Senior DIG Eastern Province Pujith Jayasundera.