SLA vehicle collision causes panic in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 15 October 2003, 17:39 GMT]
Another accident involving the Sri Lanka Army and civilians took place at Mampalam junction in Ariyalai in Jaffna town Wednesday at about 6 p.m. in which a SLA vehicle and a civilian motorcycle collided and the motorcyclists sustained minor injuries, police sources said.

This accident, coming on the heels of three collisions and hits in the past two weeks involving SLA vehicles and civilians in which two civilians died and some were severely injured, has caused panic among the people of Jaffna over the SLA's intentions, sources in Jaffna said.

The SLA vehicle was speeding through the main road at high speed when the motorcycle entered the main road through a branch lane, and the army vehicle collided with the motor cycle, police said.

Residents of the area immediately gathered at the scene. On receipt of information, riot squad soldiers rushed to the site in large numbers, sources said.

Meanwhile, a team of Jaffna police officials rushed to the scene of the accident and commenced inquiries. The army vehicle and motorcycle involved in the accident were not removed till the inquiry was over, police said.

Traffic returned to normal after residents gathered at the scene dispersed, sources said.