SLA, Police conduct search operations in Vadamaradchy

[TamilNet, Sunday, 17 August 2003, 07:26 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers and Sri Lanka Police officers searched general public and passengers in passing vehicles in Mulli, in Vadamaradchy district throughout Saturday, security sources in Jaffna said. Vehicles along the Point-Pedro Kodikamam road in Vadamaradchy also were stopped and searched, according to the same sources.

Meanwhile, more than 9000 devotees who attended the Madhu shrine festival were subjected to thorough search on their way to the festival at the Muhamalai checkpoint by the SLA.

Around 5000 of the returning devotees to Jaffna peninsula were forced to spend the night in Vanni as the SLA enforced strict time restrictions and disallowed them to cross the Muhamalai checkpoint before the closing time on Saturday.