Security tightened in Jaffna, trader shot dead

[TamilNet, Friday, 13 October 2006, 22:03 GMT]
The Sri Lankan Army (SLA) in Jaffna Peninsula introduced tight security measures Friday after 9 persons including 3 Policemen and 3 cadres of the paramilitary Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP) were killed Thursday, civil society sources said.

Soldiers stationed in key junctions in Jaffna and other towns in stopped every passenger vehicle and conducted thorough checking. In many locations people were made to wait nearly one hour, sources in Jaffna said.

People traveling between Point Pedro and Jaffna had to get down in seven locations for checking, according to sources.

Though fighting in the Forward Defense Lines (FDL) in Thenmarachchi ceased Friday, the violence continued.

Murugesu Nagasury, 36, a liquor shop owner was shot dead Nachchimar Kovilady along the Jaffna ­ Kankesanthurai road around 11:30 a.m by two unidentified gunmen riding a motorbike, eyewitnesses said.

Nagasury was from Velanai in Jaffna islets.

Meanwhile, the SLA battalion, Gemunu Watch that sustained heavy losses in Wednesday's battle, was shifted from battlefront to Palaly Base.

More than 200 soldiers were believed killed and 400 critically wounded in this battle.