Normalcy returns to Eastern province

By Ananth Palakidnar

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The Chief Minister of the Eastern Province Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan and the Health Minister of the Eastern Province M. L. A. M. Hisbullah have pledged to work towards restoring communal harmony in the region and prevent any untoward incident in the future.

The Chief Minister Pillayan who was addressing a meeting at the Meera Jummah Mosque said that it was with great difficulty that peace has been restored with the Provincial Council administration in the Eastern Province and the Tamils and Muslims in the region should work towards stabilising the peaceful atmosphere.

He also pointed out that there were elements waiting for an opportunity to stir communal backlash and the people should not get carried away by those unscrupulous forces.

The areas of Kathankudy and Arayampathy were in a tense situation following a shooting incident where five persons including the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal’s Arayampathy leader Shanthan were killed on Wednesday.

A curfew was imposed in those areas last week following clashes between certain Tamil and Muslim groups. The police and the security forces were put on red alert in the trouble spots and a police curfew was imposed.

However, Chief Minister Pillayan and Health Minister Hisbullah met the residents of Kanthankudy and Arayampathy at the Meera Jummah Mosque on Friday and made a fervent appeal to maintain peace in the region.