Search operation in Karaithivu

[TamilNet, Monday, 03 January 2000, 22:41 GMT]
Special Task Force (STF) elite troops cordoned off the coastal village of Karaithivu near Kalmunai in the Ampara District and conducted a house-to-house search operation from 3 p.m. today said sources.

A large number of male villagers were herdered to a public place, in heavy rain, and were interrogated the sources said.

Security sources said about 20 youths were taken in for further interrogation at the STF camp, and were later released.

Meanwhile a man was admitted at the Batticaloa hospital with gun shot injuries this evening hospital source said.

The man, who is from the Rameshpuram settlement, near Chenkalady, 18 km. north of Batticaloa, was injured when troops on patrol opened fire around 3.45 p.m. today, villagers allege.

He was taken to the Eravur hospital and transferred later to the Batticaloa, according to the villagers.