Manthuvil parents to file habeas corpus petition against Varani SLA

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 31 May 2006, 03:53 GMT]
Lawyers representing the parents of the eight civilians who disappeared from the Manthuvil East Seerani Kelakkai temple on the night of May 6 will file habeas corpus petitions in Jaffna High Court against the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) commanding officers stationed in the 52-4 Brigade headquarters in Varany, legal sources in Jaffna said. The parents are accusing the SLA soldiers from the Varany camp, located 3 km from the Kelakkai temple, of complicity in the disappearance of their sons.

The parents allege that five youths in military uniform were taken around the areas surrounding Kelakkai Temple during the four days prior to the disappearance, sources said. Sources also said that eyewitnesses who have remained silent due to fear of reprisals from the SLA have expressed their intention to provide testimony during the habeas corpus hearing.

The Kodikamam Police have also started investigations into the case following the parents' report of the disappearances. Although the police have recorded statements from several local residents, including the principal of the school where one of the missing civilians was a teacher, the parents are dismissing the police effort as an attempt to cover up the crime.

Sources say the Kodikamam police have produced an A-report following the initial investigations and have submitted the report to the Chavakachcheri Court. Magistrate Annalingam Premshankar has directed the police to provide additional information.

Some of the eight affected families have relocated to safer areas in LTTE-controlled Vanni, and lawyers are making an effort to bring the families together for the habeas corpus hearing, legal sources said.