LTTE denies involvement in abduction

[TamilNet, Thursday, 05 December 2002, 17:07 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Thursday categorically denied any involvement in the alleged abduction of three members of para military Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) in the Batticaloa district, sources said.

The EPDP in a statement Thursday blamed the LTTE for the disappearance of three of its members, Mr.Viji Thangaraja (District Organiser), Nivas Nesarajah (former provincial councilor) and Navaratnam, in the Batticaloa district.

The three EPDP members have been reported missing since Tuesday evening . They were lastly seen at Kallady sea beach in Batticaloa, EPDP said in its statement.

The LTTE Batticaloa and Amparai district political head Mr.Kausalyan said "We categorically say that we are not involved in the alleged abduction. After the Cessation of Hostilities we are working towards ensuring a peaceful climate. That is the directive from our leader Pirapaharan.

"There are nefarious elements working to sabotage the peace process. The recent abduction incident in Ampara is also one such attempt. We have no involvement whatsoever in this alleged disappearance."