Major search operation in Mannar

[TamilNet, Thursday, 02 August 2001, 11:14 GMT]
A large number of Sri Lanka Army troops along with Navy and police personnel were deployed in a joint search operation in Mannar town Thursday morning. Residents said troops sealed off the town from 5 a.m. till 11 a.m. and conducted house-to-house searches. All shops in the town were also searched, they added.

The security forces warned residents over loud hailers in the early hours of the morning about the impending search operation and asked people not to leave their houses.

Buses from out of town were held up at the entrance of the town during the search operation, and shops and business establishments remained closed, residents said.

Troops asked households to submit list of all residents, and their identity cards were thoroughly checked, they said.