Reports say 35 mysterious murders in and around the town since 1994 remain unsolved. G Ravindran was murdered.
Observers believe that the death squads are linked to security forces.
Police say LTTE Pistol Group has infiltrated Vavuniya and is targeting security forces and informers. Soldier Priyantha Thilakaratne was killed by a gunman on 7 January near Sinthamanipillayar temple. Police Sub-Inspector S Pathmakumara was shot dead five days later on Horowupotana road. Two days later 350 youths with one-day permits to enter Vavuniya were detained. It is said that Pistol Group members arrested or killed all had permits in their possession.