SLA blocks removal of Navalar Road land-mine

[TamilNet, Saturday, 28 December 2002, 17:57 GMT]
Residents of Navalar Road and surrounding area east of Jaffna town are disturbed by the refusal by the soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) manning a nearby checkpoint to remove an unexploded mine lying close to the Jaffna-Kandy road stating that the 512-th brigade head quarters of the SLA has not given permission to do so, sources in Jaffna said.

Mine-removal technicians were returned back several times in the past four months by soldiers from the said checkpoint, residents say.

512 Brigade Head Quarters has failed to take any action on the matter despite an appeal forwarded to 512 Brigade commander through the Jaffna Government Agent by the concerned residents, sources said.