Culvert blasted

[TamilNet, Sunday, 14 November 1999, 13:33 GMT]
Unidentified men blasted a culvert on the Uppodai road in Vantharumoolai, about 20 km. north of Batticaloa last night around 7.30 p.m. yesterday evening said sources.

Residents said a lorry which was abducted by unidentified men few days ago at Vantharumoolai was driven to the LTTE held areas through this bridge, and added that the culvert is believed to have been blasted by either Sri Lanka Army or paramilitary members to prevent vehicles being taken to the LTTE held areas.

Hundreds of farmers are affected as they were unable to take tractors to their paddy field, said sources.

SLA soldiers and members of Razeek groups were present in the area last night the sources said.

They said civilians were assaulted by the SLA soldiers and Razeek cadres on the Uppodai road last evening and this morning.