At least 10 persons, suspected to be members of the Northern-based AVAA group, were arrested in a ‘sting’ operation at Manipay, during the early hours of yesterday morning, Police said. They said the group was picked up in separate raids, carried out on safe houses, in the area following information provided by the general public.
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According to Police nearly half-a-dozen swords and sharp instruments were also recovered from the suspects during the raids. The AAVA group made up, mainly of youngsters, is known to have terrorized residents in several places in the North, where homes belonging to those domiciled overseas have been the chief targets. Police have ruled out any terror links to the group; adding that the youngsters were mainly inspired by violent Tamil films produced in neighbouring India. In the most recent attack attributed to the group the home belonging to the Vannaraponnai Grama Seveka was vandalized when the occupants were away.
Investigators suspect that the group is also allegedly cheered on by a certain businessman in the Peninsula that uses the group to intimidate and harass rivals and competitors. In the recent past, dozens of individuals belonging to this so-called group have been rounded up but their numbers have not decreased, one senior Policeman said. The suspects taken into custody yesterday were scheduled to be produced before a local Magistrate, while the Manipay Police are conducting further investigations.
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