
SLA conducts aggressive search operation throughout Jaffna
The Sri Lankan Army (SLA) began aggressive searches in civilian homes throughout Jaffna beginning on 13 December. The arbitrary searches continued through 14 December, causing fear among residents. This is the first time heavy searches to this degree have been conducted since the ceasefire agreement was signed in 2002.
On 14 December, around 30 people were arrested when the SLA rounded up people after conducting search operations in several areas of Jaffna. It is reported that 27 people were arrested when the search operations were conducted yesterday in Vadamardchchi-Mandur area. When searches were being conducted in Kupplilan, the SLA took family members from two houses to Chunnakam police station and Oorelu army camp. The family members who were taken to the Chunnakam police station have been released after investigations. At the same time, family members followed one of their relatives taken in an army vehicle to an army camp. Since the family members were following the army vehicle, the SLA dropped off the family member in the Punnalaikattuvan area. The SLA conducted heavy searches in Point Pedro, Thumpalai, Kachchai, Ariyalai, Mayilankadu, and Pannankaddai. It was reported that those who did not have national identity cards were arrested during this search operation. As the SLA conducted house- to- house searches, they collected details of every family member. The heavy searches first began on 13 Decemberin the areas of Kondavil, Achchuveli, Idaikaddu, Vallalai, Meesalai, Koddigaaman, Kerudavil, Varani and Annalaithivu. Police and SLA were aggressively checking vehicles and civilians passing through Kondavil junction, Oorelu junction, Urumparai junction and Parameswara junction. One resident, Mr Rajagajan (25), from Kondavil East was arrested during these search operations. Mr Rajagajan was arrested by the commander of the Oorelu army camp under the allegation that he was involved with the hand-grenade attack on SLA personnel at the Kondavil post office during presidential election. Mr Rajagajan was presented in front of the Jaffna Court Judge, Mr Vignarajah, and was released on bail.
15 December 2005
|