Massive search operations in Jaffna Peninsula

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 24 April 2007, 03:52 GMT]
Sri Lanka armed forces in large numbers conducted simultaneous cordon and search operations in Vadamaradchy, Thenmaradchy regions and Jaffna, Monday. Key roads were blocked and residents were herded into play grounds and temples in close proximity and interrogated, sources in Jaffna said.

Armed forces and paramilitaries took cover in many places the previous night, cut off all the leading roads entering the city and did a door to door checking in the areas of Kaladdy, Parameshwara Junction, Muththirai Santhi and Ariyalai within Jaffna municipal limits.

All the young men and women were paraded in front of masked men for identification. The young men and women from Ariyalai area were led to a Church along Kachcheri- Nallur road and 'identified' by some masked men. Even though, there were rumors that three were arrested, it was not confirmed.

Meanwhile, as all the roads to the city were closed many students and teachers were unable to go to the schools on time. Due to the travel restrictions, many of the schools and government offices had only few workers and students attending.

Similar search operations were conducted in the villages of Uduppiddy, Valvettiththurai, Kampar Malai and Thondamanaru in Vadamaradchy region and in the villages of Madduvil, Sarasalai, Kanahampuliyadi and Manthuvil in Thenmaradchy region.

However, the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has so far not claimed ofany arrests.