COLOMBO: Four members of a group believed to be backed by LTTE have been arrested and today remanded to police custody in Sri Lanka for their involvement in violence in the Tamil-dominated Jaffna.
Six members of the sword-wielding Aava group were arrested last week for their violent acts against people in Jaffna.
Of the latest arrested members, one was said to be a military man, but military spokesman Brigadier Roshan Seneviratne denied that any person linked to the Sri Lankan military was among those arrested.
Acts of violence have recently increased in Jaffna suburbs like Manipay, Kopay and Chunnakam by the group. It is believed that the group was being backed by some politicians and former members of the LTTE.
The group is also said to be drawing inspiration from south Indian movies. The group has been accused of murder, plunder of property and assault of people and people are in fear due to its attacks which have caused serious injuries to the victims.
Government spokesman Rajitha Senaratne claimed the group was a creation of the previous Mahinda Rajapaksa government. Former defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa refuted the claim.
The police has launched a crackdown on the group.