Massive search operation in Mannar

[TamilNet, Monday, 20 September 1999, 06:47 GMT]
The Sri Lankan Police arrested more than 500 Tamil youth during a massive cordon and search operation in the Mannar town which began around 9 a.m. this morning. The boys and girls were detained for questioning said the Mannar TamilNet correspondent.

They were released by this afternoon the correspondent said.

According to Police sources search operation was launched on information that suspected members of the Liberation Tigers have infiltrated the town and that they have been responsible for the killing of some persons working as informants to the Sri Lankan security forces.

Meanwhile Sri Lanka Army (SLA) said a member of the Liberation Tigers was shot dead at Siththandy, 22 km. north of Batticaloa around 8.45 p.m. last evening. The SLA handed over the body to the Eravur hospital.

The youth was shot dead in front of the Siththandy Mahavidyalayam (school). He has not been identified yet.

Hospital sources said the ICRC has been contacted to identify the youth.