Normalcy returns to Menik Farm

Menik Farm relief villages returned to normalcy yesterday after the Saturday evening incident in which the Security Forces foiled an organized attempt by a group of aggressive men from the Zone-1 to forcibly enter to Zone-2, Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said yesterday.

According to the Military spokesman when the troops prevented the forcible entry of the crowd which was swelling in numbers, they began to attack the sentries with clubs and stones and turned more violent.

"The Army fired in self-defence as the people were throwing stones at the troops and were trying to escape", the spokesman added.

Meanwhile, one of them attempted to throw a hand grenade at the Security Forces members who opened a warning fire to disperse the mob.

According to Police Spokesman Senior DIG Nimal Mediwaka three people, two children and a woman were injured in the gunfire.

Police later arrested nineteen persons who instigated the crowd to violence.