Mannar has become a garrisoned city, says Citizens Committee

[TamilNet, Saturday, 17 September 2005, 05:13 GMT]
Mannar Citizens' Committee (MCC) Friday complained to Mr.V.Visvalingam, Government Agent of the district that Mannar town has become a garrisoned city with the deployment of several hundred additional government troops and establishment of new checkpoints and sentries. Civilians are harassed by troops during checking at roadblocks, MCC further said.

A MCC delegation led by its President Rev Fr.Emiliyanspillai Friday morning met with the Government Agent in the latter's office and briefed him about the terror and fear among the civilian population due to the increased presence of army soldiers in Mannar town in recent days, sources said.

The delegation comprised MCC Secretary Mr.N.Jeyabalasingham and Treasurer Mr.Mariyadasan Peiris, sources said.

The delegation brought to the notice of the GA that troops after about 10 pm routinely enter the premises of private residences in the town scaling over the boundary wall creating panic among the occupants.

Soldiers conduct cordon and search operation in the middle of night directing the occupants to come out of their houses. Residents are experiencing untold hardships and are forced to spend sleepless nights, MCC told the civil authority.