Man released from protective custody of Jaffna Prison missing

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 29 April 2008, 00:33 GMT]
A 33-year-old man from Chaavakacheari in Thenmaraadchi, placed in the protective custody of Jaffna Prison due to death threats by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops and SLA-backed paramilitaries, has gone missing, according to a complaint filed at the Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna officials by relatives. The man, suffering from chickenpox, had been allowed by authorities a few days ago to stay with his relative for treatment, HRC sources said.

Chickenpox infection is rampant in Jaffna Prison which is over crowded with hundreds of inmates packed in a limited area without proper basic amneties.

The excessive seasonal heat aggravates the situation, subjecting the inmates to additional discomfort.

The young man, staying with his realtive in Ko'lumpuththu'rai in Jaffna, had been missing since he last went to buy bread from a shop close to the house where he was staying.

The missing man is one among the hundreds of civilians from Thenmaraadchi placed in the protective custody of Jaffna Prison by HRC Jaffna due to threats of death they face from SLA troops and collaborating paramilitaries.