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LTTE-Muslim leaders meet to defuse Muttur tension
By Chris Kamalendran
Moves to defuse the escalating tension in Muttur will be discussed by representatives of the LTTE, Muslim groups and the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission at a crucial meeting today in Trincomalee.

Amidst continued violence and acts of arson and a round-the-clock curfew, SLMM spokesman Teitur Torkelsson told The Sunday Times the meeting would take place at the SLMM office in Trincomalee town after Muslim leaders had declined to attend a meeting scheduled at Sampura in the LTTE-controlled area.

Police said the situation in Muttur was tense and acts of arson continued despite the indefinite curfew with the latest victims being the people of Saityanagar. By yesterday, Muslim areas of Muttur have been deserted by fleeing civilians who took refuge in mosques and schools.

As the situation worsened, the government sent top ministers and security forces chiefs to restore order in the multi-ethnic town. Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe who visited Trincomalee on Friday said two Army battalions and 500 extra police personnel had been sent to Muttur with instructions to strictly enforce the curfew and restore order.

The Prime Minister, who is expected to visit Muttur during his scheduled eastern tour, has ordered compensation for families of the victims and those whose houses and properties have been damaged in the week-long violence. Rehabilitation Minister Jayalath Jayawardena has left for Muttur to assess the damage.

Three people -- two Tamils and a Muslim -- were killed and 11 from both sides injured while 3,500 people have been displaced in the violence that erupted after a Muslim woman committed suicide following the abduction of her son and another youth allegedly by the LTTE.

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