SLMM urged to stop SL Army intimidation in Trinco

[TamilNet, Saturday, 20 August 2005, 13:34 GMT]
Trincomalee District Tamil Peoples Forum (TDTPF) Saturday complained to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) to take immediate steps to stop the Sri Lanka Army from intimidating Tamil civilians in the east port town. The TDTPF in a compliant lodged with the Trincomalee head of the SLMM cited an instance that took place on Friday evening in the town where army soldiers covered their faces with black clothes riding in about 20 field motorbikes at high speed intimidating Tamil civilians by brandishing their weapons, sources said.

These incidents had taken place in front of the Harbour Police Station, Post Office Road junction, Madathady junction and several others places when Tamils live in majority, TDTPF alleged.

"This is a blatant violation of the Ceasefire Agreement and human rights of citizens," said the TDTPF in its written complaint.

"Since the unlawful erection of Buddha statue in the vicinity of Trincomalee central bus stand about ninety days ago, Tamil speaking people are living in a garrisoned city till August 12 under the unofficial State of Emergency and after August 13 under official State of Emergency. Since the introduction of the ER regulations the intimidatory tactics adopted by soldiers in the east port city is on the increase," TDTPF complained.