The police said among over1,000 persons brought to the South in support of UPFA and UNP candidates there could be some troublemakers. A senior police official told The Island yesterday that though there had not been major clashes between the UPFA and UNP during the campaign, hostility among ruling party candidates had caused a series of incidents. "We are closely watching the situation," he said adding the police would deal with troublemakers irrespective of their political affiliations.

Both the UNP and JVP have repeatedly accused the government of causing trouble in the South by bringing outsiders. Referring to a recent incident in the Matara police division, the JVP said four police officers deployed at a musical show organised by UPFA candidate Hemal Gunasekera, contesting the October 10 Southern Provincial Council election, had been assaulted allegedly by supporters of the politician. All four had been admitted to government hospitals in Weligama and Matara. Sources said that though some police officers talked big they could not even protect their constables against the marauding UPFA thugs.