72 seek humanitarian protection, 24 missing in September in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Monday, 08 October 2007, 15:10 GMT]
The number of civilians seeking protection with the Sri Lankan Human Rights Commission (HRC) in Jaffna In September alone 72 civilians, including 4 families with their children, had sought protection with the HRC while 24 civilians had been reported missing at the HRC. On Monday, three civilians from Kayts, Chaavakachcheari and Point Pedro have sought HRC protection, civil sources in Jaffna said. A family man from Karaveddi was reported missing since Friday.

Three civilians from Kayts, Chaavakachcheari and Point Pedro areas sought protection with Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna due to death threats by Sri Lanka Armed Forces and paramilitaries operating with them.

Meanwhile, family members of a farmer in Vadamaraadchi complained Monday at Jaffna HRC that he is missing after being taken away by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops.

The three civilians who sought protection with HRC Monday are:

1. A father of 3 children, 24, from Karanthan in Kayts, a Jaffna islet.
2. A day labourer, 24, from Madduvil in Chaavakacheari, Thehmaraadchi.
3. A family man, 35, from Thumpa'ai in Point Pedro, Vadamaraadchi.

A farmer, Thiyagarasa Kanesh, 29, a family man from Ka'ranavaai north in Karaaveddi was reported missing since Friday after being taken away SLA troops while he was on his way to his vegetable garden.

Most of the 72 who sought protection are from Thenmaraadchi.

Besides, persons who surrendered themselves at Point Pedro and Chaavakacheari Divisional Courts too have been placed in the protective custody of Jaffna Prison.