News Briefs from Jaffna

[TamilNet, Sunday, 19 July 1998, 23:59 GMT]
Army opens fire to disperse gang fight, SLA's search operation following explosions, mines continue to injure cattle and mother gives birth on a boat.

Land mines injure cattle

Land mines continue to take the lives of cattle despite the ongoing UNDP sponsored mine clearing operation , said sources.

At least 15 cattle have been wounded in mine blasts in the last 2 weeks in the Thannankilappu area, said local residents there.

Farmers do not dare to go and attend to their wounded animals due to fear of further explosions, they added.

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Army disperses gang fight

Two people were wounded in a gang fight that erupted in Vadamaradchi last night around 7.00 said sources there.

The clash between gangs from Thunnalai and Vemabdi continued for nearly three hours.

The Sri Lankan Army rushed to the scene and fired towards the sky to disperse the gangsters.

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Search operation follows explosion

The Sri Lankan Army (SLA) conducted a search operation in the Kanatharmadam area yesterday morning following sounds of explosions.

The area was sealed off by the Army during the search operation. The reason for the explosion is not known.

Meanwhile, fishermen who went out fishing in the seas off Vadamaradchi rushed ashore after the Sri Lankan Navy boats opened cannon and gun fire on Friday.

Many fishermen abandoned their fishing-nets and other equipment.

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Maternity facilities scarce

A woman gave birth to a baby boy on a boat while she was being transported from Analaitheevu, an island off the Jaffna peninsula, to the Kayts hospital.

The woman had to be transferred to Kayts hospital as there are no medical personnel at the Anailaitheevu maternity ward, said sources.

A few weeks ago a young woman gave birth while she was being transported to the hospital on a bullock cart.

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