SL Military strengthens security in Mannar

[TamilNet, Friday, 02 March 2007, 12:32 GMT]
Additional Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops have been brought into Mannar to man new checkpoints in the town and suburbs, and to conduct frequent road patrols. Pallimunai, Panankattikottu, Uppukulam and Moor Street in Mannar town are being subjected to regular cordon and search operations by the military, civil sources said.

New checkpoints and roadblocks have been established at Pallimunai Road, Panankattikottu Road and Uppukulam Road.

Sailors of the Sri Lanka Navy have been deployed on both sides of the road from Eluthoor Junction to Talaimannar along Mannar-Talaimannar Road, sources in Mannar said.

All vehicles passing through the roadblocks are subjected to severe checks and passengers interrogated, civil sources said.

Arrival of residents of Murunkan, Pariharikandal, Uyilankulam, Katkadanthakulam, Silvathurai and Arippu to Mannar Bazaar area to buy their provision has sharply declined due to increased roadblocks and checkpoints, civil sources said.