Sri Lanka’s Special Task Force (STF) have hospitalised two Tamils in eastern Vadamarachchi, Jaffna, as they opened fire on their vehicle.
The two people were shot and seriously injured before being admitted to Point Pedro Base Hospital.
The STF has claimed that they opened fire as the two individuals were engaged in illegal sand mining and tried to escape. The individuals were from the Thunnalai area. The police have said that they are investigating the issue.
The issue of illegal sand mining has been a focal point of tension between Tamils and the Sri Lankan security forces in recent years. Tamil groups say the police use the issue as a guise to target and surveillance communities, accusing police departments of taking bribes to protect actual perpetrators.
In June 2020, an unarmed Tamil man was shot dead by the Sri Lankan army during a purported confrontation about sand mining. To date, no one has been held to account.
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