'White Van' squad abducts 8 civilans in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Monday, 11 September 2006, 18:28 GMT]
Eight civilians, including 2 young women were abducted in Jaffna by unidentified armed persons in white van, in five separate incidents, during the last 24 hours, ending at 6 p.m., Monday. Meanwhile, Surenthiraraja, the coordinator of Human Rights Commission in Jaffna Monday said that 67 persons were reported "disappeared" in August alone.

He said 17 of these complaints have been resolved, 14 being released while three others are being detained by SLA troops in Kankesanturai.

Mr.Surenthirarajah said his office has received 76 complaints against SLA Personnel regarding arrests, intimidation and threat.

According to complaints made with the Human Rights Commission in Jaffna, 2 women were abducted from their home in Anaikottai on Sunday. At Kokuvil, two youths were dragged out of their homes at gun point, in the presence of their parents.

Two more youths were abducted at gun point in Manipay, while a youth from Kumaraswamy road near Jaffna university and another from Kantharmadam have also been abducted, according to the complaints.

The parents of those abducted have lodged complaint at the Jaffna office of Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission. The parents have, however, said that they do not wish to reveal the names of the abducted persons to the media, fearing reprisals.

Meanwhile many others are feared to have been abducted from Vadamaradchy, Kopay, Chulipuram and Alaveddy by the 'white van squads' and only the body of one youth has been recovered in Chulipuram while mystery surrounds the fate of others.

SLA sodiers has blamed Karuna Group, a paramilitary group operating along with the Sri Lanka Armed forces for the killings and disappearances.