Residents of Sri Lankan refugees camp at Thoppukollai observed fast on Sunday (11).

They alleged that some anti-social elements, allegedly armed with arms, were causing panic. Although it had been brought to the notice of the police, no concrete action had been taken to protect them. Some unidentified persons had attacked five persons including Kamalanathan, president of the camp, with ‘aruval.’ The injured had been admitted to the Government Hospital here.

The refugees wanted round-the-clock protection to be extended to the camp.

Enquiries with the police revealed that some rivalry in trade caused the problem. One of the refugees, Ganesan, had recently started a ‘biriyani’ stall in the area causing heartburn to another private stall run by a local resident. Enraged over the competition, the local trader had been picking up quarrel with Mr. Kamalanathan, who supported Ganesan.

(The Hindu)