EPDP intimidates Ampara civilians

[TamilNet, Sunday, 24 October 1999, 14:48 GMT]
Armed members of the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) in Karaithivu in the Ampara district have ordered the civilians that they should stay in their houses after 6 p.m. and threatened to shoot those who violated their orders, local residents said.

Civilians who pass by the group's office were also being intimidated the residents said.

The EPDP office has been functioning there for the last four years. It is close to the Special Task Force (STF) camp at Karaithivu junction.

Residents say the intimidations on civilians have increased recently after the EPDP cadres received more weapons from the security forces.

Recently a 40 year old man, John Silva Amarasingham, was severely assaulted by the EPDP cadres. He was admitted at the Maduwatte hospital in Kalmunai for 7 days for treatment of injuries sustained said sources.

He had complained to the Police at Kalmunai and Sammanthurai.

S.Vaithilingam, a 70 year old man was also assaulted by the EDPD cadres, the sources added.

Local residents say they have made several complaints with the Police and the STF officer in the area. But they have failed to take any actions.

Meanwhile a suspected member of the Liberation Tigers shot and killed Nakamani Arulanantham, 46, a former member of the paramilitary group EPRLF, at Mandoor in the Batticaloa district, around 8.15 a.m. this morning, said sources.

She was working with the STF commandos now the sources added.

Police sources said a youth committed suicide by swallowing cyanide capsule during a subsequent search operation by STF troopers. A grenade and a pistol were recovered from him, they added.