SLA cordon and search

[TamilNet, Sunday, 17 October 1999, 13:08 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) conducted a cordon and search operation in the hamlets of Puthukkudiyiruppu, Kannankiramam and Kannakipuram in Valaichenai, 32 km. north of Batticaloa, from the early hours of this morning, said sources.

Villagers were hurled to a public ground for interrogation.

Masked spotters were used during the interrogation, the sources said.

The SLA arrested two youths on information given by the spotters, sources added.

Meanwhile the Chairman of the Human Rights Commission in Jaffna, Mr. S. Sreetharan, said they have received 296 complaints of human rights violations so far this year.

Fourty-one complaints have been received this month alone, he added.