Thursday 13 November 2014

Army Diffuses Aluthgama Situation

Army Diffuses Aluthgama Situation
By Camelia Nathaniel

Once again Aluthgama was in the news last week with the reported clash between two groups. The latest incident was reported in the Pathirajagoda area in Dharga Town in Aluthgama on November 1. Two youths were reportedly admitted to hospital following the clash, while several persons have been taken into custody following the attack.

According to police, the clash had occurred when a group of Muslim youth were celebrating after a football match and making noise on the road, and a Sinhala youth on a bike had asked them to tone down their noise.

The latest incident, however, almost created the atmosphere for another communal clash like the one that took place in Aluthagama earlier this year when Sinhalese and Muslims clashed in the area.
The STF and the police were deployed promptly after the latest incident to prevent it from escalating into one like what was experienced earlier this year.

While the army has been playing a significant role in rebuilding the devastated buildings and houses following the previous clash, the commanding officer of the Security Forces Head Quarters West, Major General Ubaya Medawala took a personal interest in trying to defuse the tension and create a peaceful atmosphere for both communities to live amicably.

According to Maj. Gen Medawala, after the football match some youth were travelling on motor bikes and when they were crossing the Pathirajagoda temple area a Sinhala youth had said something to them which led to an argument followed by a clash. “In fact, I went to the hospital and I spoke to the injured youth and his parents. The mother and father were calm about the whole incident and they told me what was required was to ensure his safety and speedy recovery. The youth was subsequently released from hospital after treatment and he is recovering.”

General Medawala also addressed both communities of the Pathirajagoda village comprising of 185 families on Thursday and told them that they need to now let these petty differences go and live in harmony as these sort of hostilities would only lead to grief and mayhem between the two communities. A positive message and appealing campaign strategy would not work well without a credible messenger. Hence General Medawala highlighted the considerable role that can be played by the local religious and community leaders.

“I told the elders and the parents of both communities that they should take control of the actions of their children and make sure they are not allowed to loiter in places and get themselves into unnecessary situations. Then I addressed the chief priests of the temples in the area and also asked them to take all measures to prevent such communal disputes taking place. Now, however the situation is under control and everything is calm and quiet and back to normal. On Thursday I addressed the Muslim community and spoke to the elders both male and female as they are persons who have control over the youth and advised them as well. Representatives of the Aluthgama Development Fund and religious congress members as well as the ASP were present when I was addressing these parties,” he added.

At least two members from all 185 families attended this meeting which was a positive sign that these people are committed to resolving this issue. The fact that the parents have taken the initiative to take control over the behavior of their children is also a very positive sign.

Meanwhile, General Medawala assured these people that the army will also assist them in educating their youth and also providing them a safe and violence free area for them to live in a pleasant manner.

When asked to comment on certain reports that indicated that the monks at the Pathirajawela temple were affiliated to the BBS and that they had aggravated the dispute, Medawala said that there was no truth into these allegations. “In fact what had happened was that there were people gathered at the temple for religious observances and some had also come after the incident in order to know what had taken place. However, the whole incident was brought under control by around 11pm that same night. While the police are the main party that took charge of the security of the area and helped maintain law and order, I as the SF Commander for the area had to intervene and access the situation and work together with the police,” he said.

Meanwhile around 80% of the reconstruction and repair of the houses that were damaged in the previous spate of violence in Aluthgama and the reconstruction of commercial buildings have also been completed. However general Medawala said that three of these buildings that were damaged are still being evaluated in order to establish the extent of the structural damage. He said that once the report is received the military engaged in the reconstruction of the damaged houses will be able to decide if these three multi storied buildings are to be demolished and reconstructed or repaired in its current form.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Xi meets Sri Lankan PM

This handout photograph released by Sri Lanka Prime Minister’s Office on March 27, 2024 shows Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena ...