Hisbullah says the government is supporting the armed TMVP cadres

Senior SLMC leader, MLAM Hisbullah told BBC Sandeshaya that DIG (east) pledged to remove the local leader of the Karuna-Pillaiyan faction after delegates impressed upon that the a few leaders of the group are threatening the smooth running of local polls.

He was reluctant to identify the group as Karuna faction but when asked said he was referring to the group that has a office in Arayampathy, Kattankudy in Batticaloa district.

Moulavi injured in shooting

The Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) is currently led by Pillaiyan, the former deputy of breakaway LTTE leader Karuna amman, who is under custody in the UK.

Politicians and religious and community leaders have met security chiefs after three people including a Maulavi of the local mosque were admitted to hospital with gunshot wounds.

The government is clearly supporting this group. Armed cadres cannot freely carry out their activities in the area without the government support MLAM Hisbullah

Eyewitness K Sherifdeen told BBC Sandeshaya that two armed men suddenly arrived at the mosque in Karpala and started shooting at the Moulavi and a group waiting to go home after the prayers.

"We heard four other armed people went towards Modern Farm," the eyewitness told BBC Sinhala.com.

Residents say that security has been strengthened by the police and STF as tension prevails in the area.

'Death threats' to candidates

The SLMC that has decided to field candidates for the local polls says the government should take responsibility for the activities of the armed groups in the east.

	Moulavi of the mosque and two others sustained injuries in the shooting

"The government is clearly supporting this group. Armed cadres cannot freely carry out their activities in the area without the government support," he said.

Mr. Hisbullah said that candidates for local polls in Arayampathy and Valaichenai have received death threats by armed groups.

The DIG has also pledged to establish a new police post in Arayampathy, Kattankudy as requested by the community leaders.

"We expect the new police post to be opened on Monday," MLAM Hisbullah said.