KANDY, Sri Lanka (AP) — Calm was beginning to return to violence-hit Muslim neighborhoods in Sri Lanka’s Kandy region on Friday, with many shops reopening as army reinforcements largely put an end to Buddhist mob attacks that hit the area.

Army commander Mahesh Senanayake said security forces have managed to control mob violence that hit the area earlier in the week, adding he met with community and business leaders on Friday.

He said victims accused the police and the elite police Special Task Force of just looking on while they were targeted.

“It is saddening if this is true. We are compelled to have more soldiers on the streets and the security has been strengthened by bringing in more reinforcements,” he said.

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