Jaffna Hospital massacre

Jaffna Teaching hospital served the 800,000 people who lived in the peninsula at that time. Not only that, it also served the neighbouring districts of Kilinochchi and Mullaithivu for advanced medical treatment.

The hospital continued to function, in spite of the clashes and the shelling. On 21.10.1987, the Indian military advanced towards the Jaffna town with help from its air force. The hospital staff went to the X-ray room in the first story seeking safety from the shelling and bombing. The Indian military entered the Jaffna Teaching Hospital and started attacking the medical staff in their hospital uniforms. The Indian military also attacked the patients lying on mats and benches. One eye witness said,

“The Indian military entered the hospital at 4.30 pm and continued to attack till 10.00 am the next day. When people screamed they were shot. Dr Sivapathasundaram, who arrived at the location where the attacks were going on, with three others, tried to talk the Indian military to stop their attacks. The military shot them all dead.”

Those who survived with injuries were treated once the Indian military left the hospital.

68 people were killed in this attack which included three doctors and two nurses. Their bodies were taken to the hospital morgue and burnt by the Indian military. Jaffna Teaching Hospital commemorates 21 and 22 October to remember those killed on these two dates in 1987.

22 November 2006

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