Another Lankan monk assaulted in Chennai

Days after a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk was attacked at Tanjavur, some suspected pro-LTTE cadres had yesterday assaulted another Buddhist priest at the Central Railway Station in Chennai, Indian media reports said.

‘Out Look India’ website said according to the Police the victim monk was part of a group of Sri Lankan pilgrims, who had arrived in Chennai and were on their way to Colombo, after visiting various sacred sites including Bodh Gaya.

“The Buddhist monk in saffron robes was repeatedly assaulted by unknown people,” police said, adding that cases had been filed under different sections of IPC including "voluntarily causing hurt." The assailants had fled the scene and a hunt had been launched to nab them.

Describing his ordeal in Chennai, the Ven. Thera told our sister paper Lankadeepa that he had left Kandy on March 3 on a 16-day Dambadiva Pilgrimage together with 19 pilgrims. “After completing our tour we left to Chennai from New Delhi by train. After every one got off the train, the organizer and I entered the train to check whether there was anything left behind in the train. As we got into the train I saw a cameraman and another person entering our compartment. I noticed the cameraman adjusting his camera and saying something to me, but I could not understand what he said. Meanwhile the other person started to assault me.

“I ran out of the train when he was attacking me. He hit me even at the railway platform. Some others also were attacked in the incident. They have also attacked the boy who helped us. However they had mainly targetted me. One woman who came to help me was also insulted. We could not understand what they told. Then a nattami who had seen the incident asked me to remove my robe. I removed it and wore a woman’s sweater. One of our members rushed to the railway police and informed about the incident. The police officers who rushed to the scene took us to the Mahabodhi Centre. Later on our chief organizer and I went to the police station where our statements were recorded. This is something we never expected. I think this was a planned attempt because a camera was also used. I must appreciate the tremendous support extended by the Tamil Nadu Police. We are coming to Sri lanka today (19),” the Thera said.

On Saturday, a Buddhist monk from Sri Lanka, pursuing archaeological studies in Delhi University, was roughed up by some activists of pro-LTTE outfits at the famous Big Temple in Thanjavur.

The Sri Lankan Buddhist monk was repeatedly assaulted by unknown people