SLA closes A9 highway to Vanni, Jaffna

[TamilNet, Monday, 08 May 2006, 03:25 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers have closed the A9 entrypoints at Omanthai Monday morning. Muhamalai entry point also remained closed as SLA has imposed a curfew after the bodies of eight civilians killed at Seerani Amman temple in Kelakkai in Thenmaradchi in Jaffna, were reportedly found in Kapputhu, Vadamaradchi. Villagers allege that the SLA was attempting to cover up the killings allegedly carried out by their soldiers at the temple observing Kumbabishekam festival in Manthuvil East, around 7 km northeast of Chavakachcheri.

Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers Sunday evening sealed off the roads at Vadamaradchi - Thenmaradchi border area and has not allowed anyone to enter Kapputhu village where the bodies were discovered.

Eight young men who went to Seerani Kelakkai temple in Manthuvil East, around 7 km northeast of Chavakachcheri are reported missing Sunday morning.

A teacher and general secretary of the temple trustee board, and four students were among the victims. Villagers who went searching for eight missing youths in Manthuvil East in Thenmaradchi, Jaffna, found blood trace, pieces of clothes, 3 identity cards and at least 6 empty cases of bullets Sunday morning.