Large-scale search operation in Colombo: 84 taken to station, 15 detained

[TamilNet, Saturday, 03 May 2008, 18:00 GMT]
Around 300 Tamils were taken into Jinthuppiddi grounds following a large-scale search operation conducted by the police with the assistance of Sri Lanka Army (SLA) covering Kathiresan Street and Jinthupity Street in Colombo Saturday morning. 84 persons were taken in two buses to Pettah police station and fifteen of them were detained there for interrogations Saturday evening, Police said.

More than one thousand residences, with natives from Jaffna, Batticaloa, Ampaa'rai and Up-Country, were subjected to thorough search by the Police and the SLA from 4:30 a.m. till 11:00 a.m. Saturday.

Around 300 persons were brought to the Jinthuppiddi ground for 'failing to provide valid reason for their stay in Colombo'.

84 of them were finally taken to police station.

Upcountry Peoples Front parliamentarian and Deputy Minister of Vocational Training, P. Radhakrishnan, contacted by the relatives, rushed to the Police station and discussed the situation of the victims with the police officials.

According to latest update, 15 of the 84 persons taken to the police have been detained there for further interrogations.