SLA abducts 5 civilians in Chunnakam

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 06 March 2007, 12:19 GMT]
Three civilians in Chunnakam were abducted by armed Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers in uniform in Chunnakam area during the last three days following the claymore attacks in Uduvil and Urelu, officials of the Jaffna Human Rights Commission said. Two civilians were arrested by the SLA following cordon and search operations, bringing the total to five the number of civilians disappearing in Chunnakam area during 4th, 5th and 6th of March, HRC officials said. Meanwhile, another civilian was abducted by armed men in a white van in Eechamoddai coastal town Tuesday morning, according to a complaint registered with the HRC.

Details of three civilians abducted by SLA during the nights of 4th and 5th March in Chunnakam follow:

• Sellamuthu Manoharan, 31, from Kalvalai Road, was abducted from his relative's home located close to his house at 9:00 p.m. Monday by uniformed SLA troopers, according to complaint filed with the HRC by Manoharan's wife.
• Thurairajah Sasikaran, 26, from Station Road, Chunnakam was abducted by armed SLA soldiers at 10 p.m. Sunday, and
• Balasubramaniam Sujeevan, 19, from Kundukulalm in Chunnakam was abducted by men who arrived in a white van at 9:00 p.m. Monday, according to complaint filed by the youths relatives at the HRC office in Jaffna.

Two other youths have also disappeared after the cordon and search operation by the SLA in Chunnakam area.

Meanwhile, Esthar Christopher, 25, was reported abducted by armed men in a white van near Eechamoddai beach at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to HRC officials in Jaffna.

Armed men arriving in a white van forced Christopher into the vehicle and drove away, complaint at HRC by the relatives read.

Chronology: