27.11.2008

A Hindu Priest was shot dead by LTTE gunmen at Mamangama in Batticaloa, today (Nov 27) at around 1.30a.m.

The victim was identified as Subramanium Kamalaraj, 32, the chief priest of the 'Sri Sivamuttumari Kovil', at Mamangama. The priest's body was found riddled with T-56 gunshots, Batticaloa Police sources said. Police and security forces are now conducting search operations in the area.

According to defence sources, undercover LTTE elements in the area are making desperate attempts to create calamity and uncertainty, also premeditating a slow down of the counter terrorists operations at Wanni.

Meanwhile, Wednesday at around 7.50p.m., police personnel manning a security post at Kallady in the Kathankudi Police division have arrested an LTTE suspect while fleeing the area after lobbing a hand grenade at the police post. No police personnel were injured in the grenade attack, sources said. The suspect was caught wounded in the Police retaliatory attack and was later admitted to the Kathankudy hospital for treatment.