Katuwanwila gripped by fear
An armed group extorting money has struck fear among people in villages like Katuwanvila and Welikanda in Polonnaruwa.
Several villages who wished to remain anonymous told the Daily Mirror that this politically backed armed group based in the village called Thivuchchena is stalking the villagers day and night.
They said these armed men extorted money from businessmen and cattle owners.
If we refuse to pay Kappan , they would threaten at gun point to seize our cattle. Many head of cattle have already been killed by them, they said.
Villagers say that even the police do not take action against these armed members.
We have nowhere to go and make a complaint. The police don t accept our complaints. Even fishermen and woodcutters have to pay them Kappan. Otherwise, their lives would be in peril, a villager said.
However, a senior police officer based in the area said law and order was intact in the area, and therefore there was no basis for such allegations.
He said this armed group was helpful to the security forces in curbing LTTE terrorism.
There are a handful of miscreants in the group. They too come out of the jungle only for operational purposes. Otherwise, there is no problem in the area, he said. (KB)
Edited By - Berty - 31 Dec 2008 10:34:30 GMT |