STF fire into the air- one sand smuggler  jumps into the lagoon and drown in Karadiyan Aru, Baticaloa

Two Brothers from Karadiyan Aaru,Suthakaran Mathusan (17) and suthakaran Kithushan (18) were loading sand into their tractor, when the STF had fired into the air to catch them. In his attempt to escape, Mathusan had jumped into the lagoon and had drowned due to deep waters at the spot.

The incident had occurred when they were loading sand at Munthanvelli Aru. The STF who came to the area had fired into the air with an intent of catching the sand miners. The brothers jumped into the river to escape from the STF. The area people had rescued them both and admitted them to hospital. However the younger one was found dead for more than 30 minutes. Elder one is being treated at the Chenkalady hospital.

Friction was caused as the people started demonstrating against the STF and demanding that the STF member who did firing be arrested. People are demonstrating blocking the Badulla – Chenkalady Road. Although the Police fired into the air and baton charged the demonstrators, they have not budged from the spot. Police personnel including riot squad had been massed at the spot.