The Special Task Force (STF) has been deployed in the Maligawatte area to ease the tension between two rival factions who backed two different UPFA candidates during the recent Western Provincial Council elections.
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| Police car patrolling the area |
However, Colombo DIG Nimal Mediwaka said clashes between these two groups have been continuing for several years and that he has ordered a full scale investigation and arrest of all suspects involved in Friday’s incident.
He said that a search is on for the attackers while security has been strengthened in the area.
On Friday soon after Jumma prayers unknown gunmen appeared in masks and opened fire at a group of people killing one and injuring ten persons.
The attackers reportedly came looking for the supporters of the defeated candidate who had earlier threatened the supporters of the winning candidate, but most of the supporters of the winning candidate had left the area and were in hiding. Meanwhile, the dead man identified as Mohammed Sadaath (30) was a close associate of a hard-core criminal who was released just a few days ago from Welikada prison prior to the elections.
He was said to be a member of the gang named ‘Makkiyas’ while the attackers were reported to be belonging to a group known as ‘Aanamalu’. |
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