EPDP member shot dead and aftermath of Nedumaran arrested

Velayutham Ilayarajah (21), an EPDP member was shot dead at Valaichenai in Batticaloa while he was on his way to the EPDP office today at 11.00 a.m.

He was shot dead near the VC lane by Ariyadas Suharasan, who is said to have escaped the LTTE Prabakaran group lead by Pathiniyan and joined the LTTE Karuna group, the public, who were eye witnesses said. The body is being kept in the Valaichenai hospital and the Valaichenai police are holding the inquiry.

The victim was a resident of Ootruchenai Vadamunai, a father of a child and a full time member of the EPDP.

Meanwhile, Pala Nedumaran, reportedly having affiliations with the extremist organizations was arrested by the Indian Police yesterday at Nagapatnam, as expected by many.

This politician who runs his movement out of LTTE funds had been issuing statements frequently that he would take essential foodstuff and medicine to the people of Jaffna peninsula by sea. Accordingly, he arrived at the beach yesterday and found to his astonishment, no boats were made available by the fishermen for his adventure.

As his efforts turned to be a failure, after the issue of a rhetorical statement, he wanted to launch a hunger strike before the arrest. It is significant to note that the Collector of Ramanathapuram Administrative District had already issued a warning that sailing towards Sri Lanka, without prior approval would be an offense.