Gunmen shot dead a Tamil businessman and seriously injured his
relative near Puttur junction along A9 road between Kodikamam and
Chavakachcheri in Thenmaradchy around 4.30 p.m. Saturday, sources in
Jaffna said. Gunmen entered his business in Puttur junction and
escaped after shooting at close range. Nadarajah
Yogeswararajah, 30, also known as Indiran, owned an eating house
near Veerasingham Maha Vidyalam in Puttur junction and also managed
a travel service, was killed and his relative Nanthakumar, 23, was
seriously injured in the incident.
During the last several days, Indiran was busy organizing transport
to Jaffna families attempting to move to Liberation Tigers
controlled areas in Vanni through Muhamalai checkpoint in his fleet
of Japanese made Cantor open trucks, residents of Puttur who knew
Indiran said.
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) checkpoint and an SLA camp are located in close
proximity to where the incident occurred and 24-hour security to A9
traffic is provided by the SLA.
Residents allege that the killing was carried out by the Eelam
Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP) paramilitaries and Sri Lanka
Intelligence operatives to limit the transport providers assisting
Tamil families moving out of Jaffna district. |