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by Ranga Jayasuriya

Seven people were killed and 14 wounded on Wednesday when Police Commandos of the Kanchikudah Special Task Force Camp used live bullets to disperse a mob who stormed the camp, set fire to camp buildings and communications equipment.

Cabinet Spokesman Prof G.L. Peiris told the Cabinet press briefing yesterday that the Prime Minister had ordered an immediate and impartial inquiry into the incident. The investigating committee will comprise all parties connected to the incident.

The Government will also pay compensation to the families of the seven who died and those injured.

The commandant of the camp in his statement to the SLMM said that 500-1000 people armed with stones and poles had broken into the camp after torching and stoning the security points.

The commandant said he was forced to use live bullets when the mob did not retreat after the tear gas and rubber bullet fire. He said shots were fired at the camp from outside. One T56 was found just outside the camp after the incident.

Three were found dead inside the camp premises and one outside. The bodies were transferred to the Kalmunai Hospital, SLMM Spokesman Teitur Torkelsson told the Daily News. According to a medical officer in Kalmunai hospital, seven of the 14 wounded have bullet wounds but all are expected to be discharged in 2-3 days.

The clash erupted after street protests over an alleged attack by STF commandos on two LTTE cadres in Wednesday noon. The STF denied involvement in the alleged harassment. The LTTE has lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission.

"We do not know whether he (the LTTE cadre) was attacked by the STF, but it is clear that he was not injured," Torkelsson told the Daily News.

The STF accused the LTTE of instigating the street protests and orchestrating the camp break in. The protesters demonstrating since noon stormed the camp at 6.30 pm, STF sources said.

The Commandant of the camp said civilians from Thirukkovil and LTTE members from Rufas Kulam had tried to storm the camp.

"We have no proof of LTTE involvement, but there can be some LTTE elements in the crowd," the SLMM spokesman said. He did not rule out the possibility of the LTTE instigating the protests.

He however said the LTTE Ampara area commander was "furious" when he was told by the SLMM that there were LTTEers in the crowd.

"He had not been informed of the incident, till our monitors briefed him," Torkelsson said.

Police said STF Commander DIG Nimal Gunatilake and SSP Nimal Lewke would visit the camp.

Torkelsson said a meeting between STF area commander and LTTE Akkaraipattu Political Wing Leader "Bawa" was scheduled for yesterday to discuss calming down the tension.

Provincial sources said that protesters chanting slogans had barricaded Ampara -Karaitivu and Pothuvil - Batticaloa highways. Shops had been forced to close.

A spokesman of the LTTE Political Headquarters in Kilinochchi called the incident a "display of STF brutality" adding that it considers the incident as a "serious violation of the Ceasefire Agreement and international law".

"If the STF wanted to disperse the crowd, it could have done it, without shooting civilians to death," the spokesman said.

SLMM Chief General Trond Furuhovde in a statement said this is a "tragic event and extremely sad loss of lives".

"Because of an uncontrolled demonstration people are now grieving their loved ones. During only one night, hope and reconciliation turned into fear and uncertainty."

Gen Furuhovde called for "restraint of the people and courage to keep our will for peace alive through these difficult times".

"This is truly a tragedy, but it emphasises that not only the parties of the conflict, but each and every person in Sri Lanka is responsible for making a lasting peace a reality in this country," the SLMM Chief said.

The government expressed its sympathies to the families of the seven persons killed in the incident.

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