Participant at torture victim support meeting arrested

[TamilNet, Saturday, 26 June 1999, 13:42 GMT]
The Counter-Subversive Unit (CSU) of the Batticaloa Police arrested a Tamil youth, T.Gowrithasan, after he concluded his speech at a public meeting held in the William Auld Hall to mark International Day In Support of Victims of Torture.

Mr. Gowrithasan speaking at the public meeting held in the William Auld Hall to mark International Day In Support of Victims of Torture, today.Photo:TamilNet

Mr.Gowrithasan, a student at the Eastern University, lost his father in 1990 when the security forces massacred more 150 Tamils, on one day, at Sathurukondan in the eastern area of the island. He is also employeed at the People's Bank, Chenkaladi branch.

In his speech, Mr. Gowrithasan had described how his family had been tortured during that time, said TamilNetÃs Batticaloa correspondent.

When Mr.Gowrithasan came out of the hall after his speech, officials of the counter-subversive unit of the police who were seen outside, arrested him.

Thereafter Mr.Gowrithasan was taken for questioning, the TamilNet correspondent further said.

The matter was immediately brought to the attention of Mr. Joseph Pararajasingham, Member of Parliament for the Batticaloa district.

When Mr.Pararajasingham contacted the Police, he was told that Gowrithasan would be released after questioning.

However, some residents said that they had seen Gowrithasan being assaulted by officers of the counter-subversive unit who were in civil clothes at the time of his arrest.