3 civilians seek protection with HRC Jaffna, 3 missing

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 14 August 2007, 16:20 GMT]
Three civilians, two from Kaithadi and one from Koappaay, fearing for their lives from Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and SLA-backed paramilitaries, sought protection with Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna office Sunday. Meanwhile, one civilian had been abducted on Sunday and three others had gone missing since Friday from separate places in Jaffna peninsula, sources in Jaffna said.

HRC officials are making arrangements with Jaffna police to have the three civilians seeking protection to be placed in the protective custody of Jaffna Prison through Jaffna Courts.

SLA armed troopers arrived at the house of Thevarasa Thavaprathap, 26, Sunday around 7: 45 p.m, and dragged away Thavapirathap after tieing his parents and siblings. His house is located at Maiyili'nai in Tho'ndaimaanaa'ru in Vadamaraadchi.

Pathmanathan Hariharan, 35, a mentally retarded person from Puththoor east, had gone missing since Friday after leaving home to attend some errand related to his customary trading activities.

A service station employee and a father of 4 children, Kathiramalai Muhunthan, 27, from Saalaiyadi in Point Pedro area, had gone missing since Friday, after leaving home for work with two thousand rupees.

SLA troopers visited Muhunthan's house Friday night, took away his cell phone and motor cycle.

Meanwhile, Pushparasa Pushpanandan, 22, from Koththaavaththai in Valveddiththu'rai, has gone missing since Friday after leaving his house, local residents said.