Transformer set fire in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Thursday, 14 August 2008, 02:00 GMT]
Unidentified persons during curfew hours Tuesday day night set fire to the main electricity transformer on Aadiyapaatham road, Kokkuvil in Valikaamam, completely burning the unit, sources in Jaffna said. Electricity supply to the area was cut off and Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops, deployed in large numbers, cordoned off and searched the area.

SLA soldiers cleaned the site Wednesday and constructed sand bags ramparts around the transformer in Kokkuvil.

Troops were posted permanently to guard the transformer and new check posts were set up in the vicinity.

Electricity Board workers repaired the transformer Wednesday.

Unknown persons had fired at the Electricity transformers in Vadamaraadchi and Thenmaraadchi earlier cutting off electricity supply. These damaged units have now been repaired and are being guarded 24 hours by SLA troops.

Last Thursday unidentified armed men opened rapid fire on the main electricity transformer at Arasadi Chanththi in Karaveddi, Vadamaraadchi along Nelliyadi-Kodikaamam road, damaging the transformer and cutting off electricity supply to the area.

Three weeks earlier a similar gun attack was made on a transformer in Meesaalai in Themaraadchi cutting off electricity supply.

The attacks on electricity transformers took place after a Chinese firm which has entered into a contract with Sri Lanka government to generate and supply electricity to Jaffna peninsula began preliminary work from the firm's worksite in Chu’n’naakam.

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