Police arrests fisherman in Munai SLA assault

[TamilNet, Friday, 24 October 2003, 17:05 GMT]
The Point Pedro Police Friday arrested a Tamil fisherman, Mr. Peter Maran, 23, in connection with an attack by the Sri Lanka Army and Navy personnel on him in the Munai area, in the Point Pedro division, Wednesday. Police recorded a statement from him that ran into five pages, fisheries sources said.

Mr. Maran described in his statement what took place on the day of the incident, the sources said.

He said that the Sri Lanka navy soldiers had forcibly removed his fisheries pass on the day of the incident.

Mr. Maran further told the police about the assault made on him and his fellow fishermen, and an attempt made to kill him by shooting.

On the advice of the Jaffna regional office of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, a delegation led by the Parish Priest of St Anthony's Church, Rev.Fr. P.J.Antony, and comprising fisheries representatives, held talks Friday morning with the Point Pedro Police officials regarding the arrest of Mr. Peter Maran, sources said

The police released Mr. Maran to the delegation about three hours after his arrest.