Farmers in Mayilathamadu and Mathavanai districts in Batticaloa have reported that at least six farmers were tied up, beaten and taken to a distant and unidentified place by Sinhalese members of the community on Saturday morning.
All their contacts have since been disconnected after their phones were seized.
The leader of the farmers who was present at the scene said that fellow farmers who went to look for the abducted farmers were threatened and chased away by the Sinhalese men.
He said that a number of armed and unknown people threatened the farmers and asked to check their residences and if they were in possession of weapons on Friday night.
Due to this incident, a tense situation is prevailing in Mayilaththamadu and Mathavanai areas.
