Punguduthivu erupts in violent protests against SLN

[TamilNet, Sunday, 18 December 2005, 08:53 GMT]
Civlians in Punguduthivu Sunday morning protested against the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in Punguduthivu following the discovery of the body of Ilayathambi Tharsini (20) from an abandoned well near SLN camp Saturday. A fifty-five years old civilian was rushed to Jaffna Hospital with serious gunshot wounds. Four more civilians sustained minor injuries. All traffic beyond Velanai thuraiyoor remains cut, reports from the islet said. Punguduthivu remains tense. The navy camp, an administrative office of the SLN, was stoned and later set on fire as the troopers withdrew from the camp, sources said.

The wounded civilian was identified as Mr. P. Varatharajah, 55, from 7th division of Punguduthivu.

Protesters alleged that the Sri Lanka Navy soldiers had abuducted the girl who was on her way to her aunt's house Friday, raped her and dumped her into the abandoned well.

The body was discovered by civilians who set out on search inside the no-go HSZ area Saturday and reported troopers shoeprints around the well.

The protesters did not allow the troopers or the police to reach the well until acting judges from Kayts Mrs. Linga Thurairasja and Mr. M. Thirunavukarasu, acting judges from Kayts visited the spot and assured the protestors that the body will be safely transport to Jaffna Hospital mortuary for post mortem examinations, sources said.

Punguduthivu is an islet located 24 km southwest of Jaffna, next to Kayts.

The Kurikattuvan jetty located in Punguduthivu connects Nedunthivu, Nainathivu and Analaithivu. Traffic to these islets also remains cut as tension prevailed in Punguduthivu.