Police Units established to curb Batticaloa Election violence

[TamilNet, Sunday, 10 February 2008, 23:52 GMT]
A number of Special units have been established in Batticaloa district to curb election related violence and to enable the affected parties to lodge complaints against such incidences, police sources in Batticaloa said.

According to the new arrangements, a special unit headed by a Sub Inspector (SI) is being created in each police station for investigations to be undertaken into complaints regarding election related violence.

The special units have been created in police stations in Eravooor, Batticaloa, Kaththaankudi, Kokkadichoalai and Karadiyanaaru in Batticaloa district, police officials said.

The newly created special units will function around the clock, according to instructions from higher officials from Sri Lanka Police (SLP), officers in charge (OIC) of police stations in the district said.

The most number of election related violence have been recorded in Vaazhaichcheanai Police station in Batticaloa district.

Political parties such as United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) have already started their election propaganda.

UPFA have plastered huge posters with Betel leaf symbols throughout the district. TMVP also had their election posters with the party symbol of boat on buses and walls of buildings. The independent groups are yet to commence their election activities.

A total of six political parties and 22 independent groups are contesting in the local council elections scheduled to be held 10 March.