2 disappear, 2 seek HRC protection in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Saturday, 20 October 2007, 13:20 GMT]
Two men, one from Thenmaraadchy and another from Valikaaman have reported disappeared, and two more civilians fearing for their lives surrendered Friday at the Jaffna office of Human Rights commission (HRC), due to threats from Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and SLA-backed paramilitaries civil sources in Jaffna said.

A 44-year family man from Madduvil, Chaavakachcheari summoned by Sri Lankan Army (SLA) troopers to report at their local civil administration office for inquiries Tuesday has disappeared without any trace, the victim's wife informed HRC officials.

In a separate incident Kanapathypillai Kantharasa, 58, father of four and a resident of Kiraanpattu, Pa'ndatherippu in Valikaamam area has not returned home since Thursday night, his wife told the HRC officials.

The victim left home Thursday night to open his telecommunication centre but failed to return home and is feared to have been abducted, the victim's relatives said.

Meanwhile, a 46-year-old father of eight children from Poovatkarai, Puloly, Point Pedro, and a 21-year-old youth from Meesaalai North in Chaavakachcheari, have surrendered with the HRC offices in Jaffna, according to HRC officials.

More than one hundred civilians had sought protection with HRC Jaffna from Thenmaraadchi area in the past several months. In addition there have been numerous incidents of abductions and disappearances in the peninsula, in recent months.