Youth beaten by SLA hospitalized

[TamilNet, Monday, 21 June 1999, 08:37 GMT]
Suthakaran Nithiyananthan, a ninteen year old youth, has been admitted to the Batticaloa hospital after being severely assaulted by the Sri Lanka Army soldiers guarding a road check post at Vantharumoolai, 22km. north of Batticaloa, on Friday. The youth is still unconscious, said sources.

One of the SLA soldiers involved in the incident said in his statement to the police that the troops detained the youth on suspicion and found explosives when they searched him.

The soldier further said that the SLA, after apprehending the youth, had handed him over to the Police.

Meanwhile, the youth's sister, Krishnaveni Nithiyananthan, 23, has written a letter to the Batticaloa District judge, Mr.J.Viswanathan, seeking justice.

"The Sri Lanka Army soldiers stationed at the Maavadivembu camp came to our house on Friday and assaulted my mother and me. My brother who was taking food, sarong, and chilli powder to my father who was working at the paddy field was assaulted by the SLA soldiers. He was later admitted to the hospital and is still unconscious," said Krishnaveni in her letter to the Batticaloa District judge.

She further said that her brother had nothing to do with any of the militant groups.

The judge visited the youth at the hospital and ordered the JMO to submit a medical report. He remanded the youth and ordered the prison officials to provide security to the youth.

Sources said the judge has remanded the youth as he was arrested by the army for carrying explosives.

Meanwhile, Sivaseelan, a watcher working at the Eastern University, was arrested by the Sri Lanka Air Force personnel. He has been handed over to the police.