'Motorbike' and Razeek groups search Kallady

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 13 January 1998, 23:59 GMT]
The Dutch Bar in Kallady village on the outskirts of the Batticaloa town, was cordoned off and searched by the 'motorbike group' of the Sri Lankan army, with the assistance of the Razeek group today.

The coastal village was rounded up around 8 a.m. this morning and the operation went on till about 11 a.m. said residents.

The village residents are predominantly Burghers, decendants of Portugese settlers.

Two Burgher youths were arrested as soon as the 'Motorbike group' entered the area and were made to kneel in the hot sand under the scorching sun till the army operation was completed.

The youths have been taken away to the Kallady army camp said residents and have not been released.

The Motorbike group is a commando force meant for rapid deployment. It became notorious for its ruthless methods during the bloody supression of the JVP rebellion in the Sinhala areas of the country in 1988-1990.

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