Jaffna trader complains of SLA harassment

[TamilNet, Saturday, 30 July 2005, 15:57 GMT]
Mr.T.Nisakaran, owner of a photographic studio in Urumpirai area, has registered a complaint with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) that he has been continuously harassed and intimidated by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers of the Urelu army camp located in Jaffna district, civil sources said. Jaffna Regional Co-ordinator of the HRCSL has initiated procedures to hold an inquiry into the complaint, HRCSL sources said.

Mr.Rohitha Priyatharsana has sent a notice to the Officer-in-Charge of the Urelu army camp to appear before him on Wednesday 3rd August. The inquiry into the complaint is to take place on the same date, sources said.

Mr.Nisakaran has said in his complaint that members of the army intelligence in Urelu camp frequently visit his studio and threatening him to report to the camp for interrogation. As the frequency and level of harassment increased he felt threatened for this life and reported the matter to the Jaffna office of the HRCSL, according to Mr.Nisakaran.

HRCSL sources said that it is illegal to force civilians to report to the army camp. Earlier, when the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) was in force the SLA used the PTA as a cover to intimidate, harass and torture civilians, civil sources said.

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