Hartal was observed in Batticaloa to protest an abduction allegedly done by EPDP

A police constable and a junior officer of Special Task Force (STF) were killed in a claymore explosion at Kaludawala in the Kaluwanchikudi police division.

A civilian has sustained injuries at the incident.

Nine policemen were killed in Batticaloa since the completion of the Eastern Provincial Council (EPC) elections, in May.

'White van' abduction

Two bodies of civilians with gunshot wounds were brought to Batticaloa hospital hours after the incident.

Residents say the incident has occurred despite security has been tightened in the area.

	Minister Devananda's EPDP is accused of abducting civilians

Meanwhile a Hartal has been observed in Chenkalady to protest the abduction of a businessman on Thursday by an unknown group came in a white van.

Relatives of Devanesan Sureshkumar, 35, accused the Ealam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP) of carrying out the abduction.

The EPDP is headed by senior minister Douglas Devananda, who is also the head of the Task Force for north appointed by President Rajapaksa.

TMVP office attacked

While residents insisted a Hartal has been observed, police denied any protest taking place in Batticaloa.

They said the shops were closed as Sunday is a public holiday.

In Wellavelli, the office of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) was attacked by an unknown group on Saturday night.

Two TMVP members have sustained injuries in the attack.

The TMVP, widely known as Karuna group, is headed by Chief Minister of the Eastern Province, Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan (Pillayan).