SLA soldiers, para military attack local Tamil traders in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 13 April 2011, 11:19 GMT]
Local Tamil traders from Vadamunai, Pendugalseanai, Oothuchcheanai, Poththanai, Tharavai and Kudumpimalai areas in Chiththa'ndy division who had gone to collect milk from dairy farms in Paduwankarai area came under attack by soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and cadres of para military groups. SLA soldiers and para military cadres had attacked them asking them to show the hide outs of LTTE in the area, according to affected traders.

Special Task Force (STF) personnel stopped all vehicles going through Batticaloa to Kalmunai at Kaluthawalai for checking.

Road blocks were placed last week along (A5 ) Batticaloa-Baddula highway, (A4) Batticaloa-Colombo highway and (A 15) Trincomalee-Batticaloa highway.

The SLA and police later conducted a house to house search in these areas and collected details of residents.

SLA and Police jointly conducted cordon and search operations at Kokkadicholai, Muthalikudah, Mahiladithievu, Karadiyanaa'ru, Vadamunai, Oothuchcheanai, Punaanai, Vakarai and Verukal areas in Paduwaanka'rai region opening new chekpoints.

Cordon and search operations conducted by the SLA and police without prior notice have caused tension and fear among farmers in the midst of preparing fields for yala cultivation.