Colombo, Apr 20: More than 35,000 people have been made homeless in a town in north-eastern Sri Lanka following clashes between Muslims and Tamils, officials said today. Rehabilitation ministry officials said that 7,314 families consisting of over 35,000 individuals will be provided with dry rations in the town of Muttur after violence on Thursday and Friday killed three people.
The majority of the victims who were driven out of their homes were Muslims -- 6,282 families. Tamils too suffered with 1,010 driven to public buildings to take refuge from mobs.
There were also 52 Sinhalese families who fled their homes fearing the violence, officials said.
Police chief Upali Hewage said the situation in Muttur was calm today and the authorities expected to completely lift the curfew by tomorrow. Night curfew was eased this morning to be reimposed again.
"We are imposing the curfew only as a precautionary measure," Hewage said.
The rioting started on Thursday following allegations that Tamil tiger rebels abducted two Muslim men from Muttur.
However, the LTTE rebels denied the charge and said the violence was the work of those who were trying to sabotage the Norwegian-backed peace process.
"Attacks of this nature would affect the present peace process. Tamils and Muslims should join hands to identify the elements behind these attacks. Both communities should be vigilant and identify false propaganda and rumours spread by these elements," the LTTE said in its statement. Bureau Report