SLA intensifies cordon, search operation in Jaffna peninsula

[TamilNet, Saturday, 29 March 2008, 16:01 GMT]
Several hundred Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops were deployed in a large scale cordon and search operation launched Saturday early morning in Karaveddi area in Vadamaraadchi herding all people irrespective of age or gender into temples and schools for interrogation, sources in Jaffna said. The SLA troops confiscated the National Identity Cards (NIC) of several youths and young women, and directed them to collect their NICs in the SLA camp, the sources added.

Many of the young people whose NICs were confiscated by the SLA have lodged complaints with Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna office, HRC officials said.

Some among them are considering seeking protection with the HRC as they are afraid to go and collect their NICs in the SLA camps.

No details are available if anyone was arrested during the Saturday search.

SLA launched similar search this week in Thenmaraadchi and in some interior places in Valikaamam West, signalling a resumption in large scale cordon and search operations.