300 families trapped by SLA camps

[TamilNet, Sunday, 27 August 2006, 16:39 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has occupied the village of Manatkadu in the Vadamaradchi East and established a camp in the precincts of St. Anthony’s Church, residents said Sunday. People are being prevented from leaving the village and many fear they are being held as a human shield to protect the SLA base at nearby Nagar Kovil. Manatkaadu is situated between Nagar Kovil and the eastern coastline.

The fisheries society at Manatkadu Sunday accused the Sri Lanka Army of preventing 300 families in the coastal hamlet from leaving.

SLA soldiers based in Kudaththanai junction and Vallipuram are not allowing the villagers to leave Manatkadu to go to other safer areas, whilst troops establish a camp at the village’s St. Anthony’s Church.

Relgious activity at the church has been suspended since the SLA troops occupied it. The Jaffna Bishop has transfered the parish priest of the church to Karaveddy, church sources said.

The SLA has stepped up security in the costal area of Vadamaradchi, sources said.

SLA authorities have ordered the fishermen living between Katkovalam in Pt.Prdro and Thondamanaaru to hand over their outboard engines to their respective Fisheries Societies.

Sources in Vadamaradchi said SLA Special Forces soldiers are stationed in a newly established camp in a private tutory, close to the North-Hindu Ladies College in Pt. Pedro, sparking anxiety amongst local residents and parents of the students.