Police overlook Sinhala encroachments - UC Chairman

[TamilNet, Sunday, 22 August 1999, 17:33 GMT]
Encroachments on title deed lands belonging to Hindu temples and individual Tamils in Trincomalee, especially in the Mattikali area which lies at entrance to the town, are going on unabatedly, said the former chairman of the Urban Council, Mr.P.Sooriyamoorthy in a letter to the North East Governor Major General Asoka Jayawardene.

"Please take immediate steps to stop these encroachments by the majority community. Otherwise it would lead to ethnic tension in the cosmopolitan town," said Mr.Sooriyamoorthy in his letter.

Mr.Sooriyamoorthy pointed out that although the affected Hindu temple authorities and Tamil residents had made complaints, the Trincomalee Police are reluctant to take action against the Sinhalese encroachers.

He reminded the Governor that earlier when similar complaints were made, the Police had promptly taken action, by arresting those encroachers who were all Tamils.

"When people from the majority community encroach private lands belonging to Hindu temples and Tamil residents, the Trincomalee Police are adopting a different attitude. This has created an impression in the town that the police are taking sides.

"We are of the view that the encroachments now taking place in the Trincomalee town and its suburbs have the blessings of the police and some government officers," Mr.Sooriyamoorthy pointed out in his letter.