Security beefed up in Kinniya

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The police stated that security in Kinniya, Trincomalee has been beefed up following an altercation between security forces and illegal sand miners. A tense situation had erupted last evening (January 29) when a group of people had attacked the Navy with rocks and stones following an arrest of illegal sand miners near the Kandakadu bridge in Kinniya. The Police Media Unit stated that the tense situation has been contained at present. Navy spokesperson Lieutenant Commander Isuru Suriyabandara said that 12 Navy personnel were hospitalized due to injuries. Four of the injured were transferred to the Trincomalee hospital for further treatments. Seven illegal sand miners were arrested in the operation conducted by the Navy. However, two had escaped at the time of the arrest. The body of one individual who had escaped was found last evening (January 29). Investigations are underway to track the other.