Fishermen say threat from Munai SLA sentries

[TamilNet, Sunday, 26 October 2003, 04:19 GMT]
Sri Lanka Police in Pt. Pedro Sunday posted constables at three military sentries in Munai where fishermen have to surrender their special permits before setting out to sea, after several villagers complained Saturday night that soldiers had visited their homes looking for them.

The fishermen who complained to the Police said that they fear that the soldiers are intent on assaulting or intimidating those who prominently took part in the protest march yesterday.

Four families lodged complaints with the Pt. Pedro Police Saturday night and three on Sunday morning.

“We are looking into the matter”, said Mr. K. Happuaratchi, the officer in charge of the Pt. Pedro Police Station.

Munai residents said that the Sri Lanka army soldiers at the three permit registering sentries know the identities of all the fishermen in the village and hence their fear.