SLA accused of stealing belongings of Thenmaradchy displaced

[TamilNet, Saturday, 16 September 2006, 17:14 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers in Thenmaradchy Forward Defense Line (FDL) areas have been accused of allegedly stealing millions of rupees worth of belongings left behind by the fleeing refugees from Thenmaradchy villages following clashes between the Government troops and the Liberation Tigers, civil society sources in Jaffna said. SLA troopers from Varani 52-4 Brigade Head Quarters located along Point Pedro- Kodikamam road have come under severe criticism from residents slowly returning back to their homes in villages surrounding the Varani camp for having ransacked their houses and stealing valuable property, residents said.

Many villagers returning from Vadamaradchy where they sought refuge during the clashes close to their native villages of Idaikuruchchi, Karambaikuruchchi, Iyakkavil, Usan, Vidathal Pallai and Ketpali areas in Thenmaradchy, said most of their belongings have been stolen by the SLA troopers.

"Foot prints of SLA boots can been seen all over the compound of our houses, and we have also seen some of our belongings inside the Sri Lanka Army camps," distraught villagers told TamilNet.

Villagers also said that the SLA officials have warned them against making complaints to any Government authorities or Human Rights officials.

SLA officials refuted the allegations.