SLA shoots on persons transporting sand in Thenmaraadchi

[TamilNet, Monday, 05 April 2010, 16:16 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers opened fire Sunday evening on three youths on a tractor transporting sand for building purposes without stopping at the SLA check post in Allaarai area in Thenmaraadchi, sources in Chavakachcheari said. The soldiers were able to take two of them into custody while the third person had run off. Kodikaamam police to whom the two persons were handed over to produced them at Chaavakachcheari magistrate court Monday. The court ordered the two youths to be placed in remand prison.

Sand pilfering in Naakarkoayil area in Vadmaraadchi is alleged to be going on with the blessing of SLA officials who are keen on extra income.

While SLA soldiers arrest persons pilfering sand on one hand men with SLA support continue illegally excavate and transport sand without any trouble on the other hand, sources in Jaffna said.

SLA restriction on transporting sand for building purposes had caused the price for it to shoot up.

This in turn has increased the illegal excavation of sand from private lands.