Analaitivu villagers complain of police harassment

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 28 April 2004, 18:07 GMT]
The Kayts Police in Jaffna district has up to now sent notices to about 35 residents of Analaitivu village to appear in the police station in regard to the alleged torching of a camp of the paramilitary Eelam People's Democratic party (EPDP) on April 11. However, five civilians who went to the Kayts Police station Wednesday morning on receipt of such notice have not returned to Analaitivu till late in the night, civil sources said.

Residents of Analaitivu fear that the Kayts Police had taken those persons into custody. Civil sources said the Police might produce those five civilians in court Thursday.

In the meantime, tension prevails in the Analaitivu village following the deployment of more police personnel due the alleged torching of the EPDP camp, sources said.

The Kayts magistrate has already remanded 11 civilians who were arrested and produced in courts in connection with the alleged torching of the EPDP camp.

Meanwhile, Attorney-at-Law Mr. N.Sri Kantha filed an application seeking bail for the eleven civilians from remand. The Police due to the political rivalry had arrested the villagers, he said.

The suspects held in remand worked for the victory of the Tamil National Alliance against the EPDP, which contested the last general election, the bail application said.