Elderly man seeks protection with Jaffna HRC

[TamilNet, Friday, 09 May 2008, 00:30 GMT]
An 61-year-old civilian from Puloali, Vadamaraadchi, sought protection Thursday with Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna, due to death threats by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops and SLA-backed paramilitaries, HRC sources said. Many Puloali residents are in protective custody of Jaffna Prison, the sources said.

The elderly man seeking protection is identified as Arumugam Murugesu, a resident of Poovakkarai village in Puloali.

Jaffna HRC Investigation Officer is taking steps to place the above man in the protective custody of Jaffna prison through the police and Jaffna Courts.

Murugesu said in his statement to HRC that SLA troops posted in his area continually threatened him with death, the Investigation Officer said.

A private house was converted into prison in Jaffna with the SLA occupation of Jaffna peninsula in 1996.

Nearly 400 inmates live this house which can only accommodate one hundred persons with the existing basic facilities.

Many civilians in Poovakkarai area Murugesu comes from have been shot and killed in the recent past, local residents said,