The Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) has agreed to lay down arms in response to a request made by election observers to ensure free and fair elections in the March 10 mini polls in Batticaloa.

"The TVMP responded positively to our request. They promised to lay down arms and our monitors have observed that they did not carry arms in their campaigns for the last two weeks, Chairman of the People’s Action for Free and fair Elections, Kingsley Rodrigo told ‘The Island’ yesterday.

"This, we note is a very positive development. We were told that it has officially laid down arms with effect from Feb. 1. This is a step in right direction. It further strengthens the democratic process in the East and we welcome this," he said.

The pledge was given by TMVP Media Spokesmen Asath Maulana, TMVP Political Leader Advin Krishnananda Raja during a meeting participated by two officers from Non Violence Peace Force, Kingsley Rodrigo the Chairman of the PAFFREL, and Father Silvester Sri Dharan. The meeting was held at the TMVP Baticallo Office, he said.

About 4000 government officials will involve in election duties and will be overlooking 285 in the forthcoming local government elections in Batticaloa.

Government officials reported that they were making preparations for the elections in which the registered number of voters is 270,471 and that these preparations were preceding smoothly, Rodrigo said.

The police reported that the police presence in the district had been strengthened and this was visible in the extra checkpoints visible in the area. In addition contesting candidate had been assured of two police guards each. So far about 200 out of the 813 candidates who are vying fro 101 positions in local authorities had requested police protection, he said.

A PAFFREL team headed by its chairman Kingsley Rodrigo undertook a two day visit to Batticaloa on February 2-3. They met with election officials, head of police, religious dignitaries and civil society groups to ascertain the prevailing situation and its conformity with the requirements of a free and fair election.

The second PAFFREL team comprising Godfrey Gunatialke, Manori Muttettuwegama, Jezima Ismail and Dr Nimal Gunatilake had returned Colombo on Monday after an observation visit in Batticaloa, Rodrigo said adding that the TVMP had so far adhered to their promise.

"The TVMP, however, has not disarmed its cadres in camps. For this, they demand that the others who roam inside the district too must be disarmed," he said.

Meanwhile, on Monday a teenage boy was killed on the spot and STF officer sustained serious injuries, when LTTE cadres fired at a STF motorcycle squad patrolling in the Akkaraipattu area, security sources said.