2ND LEAD (UPDATE)

SLN soldier disappeared, Nedunthivu under siege, 7 arrested

[TamilNet, Monday, 21 November 2005, 11:49 GMT]
Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) soldiers Monday morning cordoned off Nedunthivu (Delft) and conducted house to house search after two SLN soldiers were reported missing allegedly abducted by unknown men, sources said. Delft islet is under the control of the Sri Lanka Navy. However, SLN sources in Colombo said only one soldier was missing adding that seven youths have been arrested in Nedunthivu.

All transport to and from Neduthivu islet has been suspended and the SLN said that until they find the whereabouts of the abducted soldiers, the transport will not be resumed.

Youths decorating Nedunthivu streets for the beginning of the Heroes rememberence week were assaulted by the SLN soldiers. The injured youths were prevented from being taken to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital or outside Nedunthivu for treatment, sources said.