A curfew is currently enforced, with effect from 10.30 a.m. this morning (October 16), in three (3) AGA divisions in the Eastern Province, namely Akkaraipattu, Addalachchena, and Alayadivembu. The curfew has been imposed to restore normalcy after the incidents that took place yesterday and today (October 15 & 16).

At around 9.30am in Irakkamam last morning (October 15), four armed people in a white van had stopped two Muslim boys traveling on the road. The occupants of the van had abducted one boy but the other had escaped. The van had then proceeded to the Tamil side of the area. It has later been reported that the abductee is a younger brother of an EPDP organizer in the Akkaraipattu area that the LTTE had been searching for.

Following this incident, some members of the Muslim community in Addalachchena, near Akkaraipattu, had abducted several Tamil persons. This matter had been resolved through the intervention of the Peace Committee of Akkaraipattu, which comprises members of all communities. The abducted persons were subsequently released.

Fearing a deterioration of the situation, a meeting of representatives of the Human Rights Commission (Kalmunai Branch), SLMM, Sri Lanka Police, the LTTE, and the Muslim community had been convened this morning (October 16). At this meeting, the LTTE had been urged by the Muslim representatives to keep their promise made after the Valachchenai incident to investigate into such problems. However, the LTTE representatives had, reportedly, denied any knowledge of the abduction and refused to accept responsibility. This had resulted in the discontinuation of the meeting and unrest.

A special police team will be sent from Colombo to investigate the abduction and assess the situation. The curfew is expected to be lifted as soon as the situation is brought under control.