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More arrests made as people still fear a return of the reign of terror | Noori Estate killing
Two more suspects were arrested in connection with the killing of Noori Estate Manager Nihal Perera raising the total number arrested to 22, while the Special Task Force continues to patrol the area, police said. A senior Police officer in charge of security in the area said that two suspects arrested were relatives of the former Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Champika Wijesinghe alias Athakota.
An STF personnel stands guard at the pathway leading to the Noori Estate bungalow
The officer said recent reported incidents of people still being threatened have now been brought under control by the STF and police.
“However, the people still fear that Athakota and his goons will return and take revenge against them for coming out against them,” he said.
“The STF will continue to provide security for the next two weeks and will thereafter decide whether they should remain,” he added. Meanwhile B. H. Siripala, a former public employee said the residents of Noori and the Basnagala area will send a second petition to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Inspector General of Police (IGP) N. K. Illangakoon requesting them to reinstate the former Deraniyagala Police Officer in Charge (OIC) Prabath Deshabandu.
He said that they had sent an earlier petition to all three explaining the situation in the village and steps taken to protect the residents.
During a recent meeting held in Basnagala with Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Lalith Jayasinghe, Senior DIG Gamini Navaratne and other officers from the police and Special Task Force (STF), people of the area had defended allegations made against the former OIC. They said he had played a key role in bringing to justice the gang members who instilled fear in the people.
N. V. Wasantha Kusumsiri, wife of a former Grama Sevaka told the Sunday Times that the people of the area had no faith in the police owing to what they had to suffer for the past 15 years at the hands of gangs connected allegedly to Athakota
“People of the area want to live peaceful and free. However, when Athakota and his family took control of the area everything changed. Even though we live in a democracy, we were under the fearful reign of Athakota and his men for more than a decade,” she said.
She claimed area politicians had backed Athakota and his criminals and they were behind many illegal activities in the area. She further said her husband W. G. Sunil Rathnayaka had to retire early this year as the Grama Sevaka due to injuries he sustained in a clash with Atha kota’s brother.
N. V. Wasantha Kusumsiri, wife of a former Grama Niladhari
“He was against the deforestation taking place in the Noori Estate. Athakota and his men would chop down large trees without a legal permit. My husband had made a complaint to the police and the police in turn informed the gang about it. My husband was asked to back off and received death threats.”
Meanwhile a suspect allegedly involved in the murder of Mr. Perera was released this week by courts.Balakumar Rajakumar, who was arrested by Bulathkohupitiya police was released after the investigation report was produced before the Avissawella magistrates court by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), on August 5 during a magisterial inquiry.
The CID had informed court that the suspect was not connected to the murder. Avissawella Chief Magistrate and District Judge D. H. A. Seneviratne ordered that the suspect be released while the others were remanded till August 19, the day of the next hearing.
One of the suspects, Krishnavel Rajendra had told the CID during an interrogation that Amila Wijesinghe, nephew of Anil Champika Wijesinghe alias Athakota, told him if he owned up for the murder charge he would be given Rs. 150,000 while Amila would take the responsibility of looking after his family. When the CID informed this in Courts, the Magistrate ordered the prison guards to separate Amila from the other suspects
Children in one of the line rooms of the estate. Many houses in the vicinity have been abandoned by people through fear. Pix by Nilan Maligaspe
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