Joy ride at checkpoint damages lorry and its cargo

[TamilNet, Saturday, 14 March 1998, 23:59 GMT]
A lorry carrying 185 bags of rice went off the cause way across the lagoon at Periya Kallar south of Batticaloa yesterday when Policemen with little knowledge of driving who had taken it for a joy ride from the local checkpoint lost control of the vehicle. The lorry was completely damaged.

It had stopped at the Periya Kallar barrier for checking when some Policemen there had forcibly taken it from the driver for a joy ride.

This happens every day at the Periya Kallar point, said sources.

The check point is notorious for extortion in cash and kind, which continues regardless of complaints by local MPs to the higher authorities.