Tense situation in Akkaraipattu as Muslim parties clash again

SLMC supporters protest in front of the Akkaraipattu Police station in Ampara District on Friday (31) demanding the arrest of the attackers.

A tense situation was reported in front of the Akkaraipattu Police station in the Ampara District earlier today as SLMC supporters and partymen led by MPs Hasan Ali and H.M.M. Harris protest, demanding the arrest of person who allegedly attacked them.

Sri Lanka Muslim Council (SLMC) Genral Secretary Hasan Ali stated that he and MP Harris along with several party members were returning from a function, when their convoy was attacked near the police station by a group of supporters of National Congress leader and Minister A.L.M. Athaullah.

He claimed that the supporters of the Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister had attacked their vehicles with swords and sticks and that they were unharmed only due to the intervention of their security detail.

Hasan Ali, however, said that several of their vehicles were damaged from the attack.

The SLMC MPs and party supporters subsequently protested and engaged in Satyagraha in front of the Akkaraipattu Police station demanding the immediate arrest of the persons ‘who attempted to kill them.’

The crowd in front of the police station later dispersed after a senior police officer had assured that the suspects will be arrested within 24 hours, Ada Derana reporter said.

MP Harris, speaking to Ada Derana, claimed the attack was an “attempt to murder” them and that police security provided along the road when they were en route to the function, was removed when they were returning and attacked.

The alleged attack comes just weeks after a clash had taken place between supporters of Rauf Hakeem’s Muslim Congress and Athaulla’s National Congress, both constituent members of the ruling UPFA, in Addalaichenai in the Ampara District.