Big demo in Mannar against Police rape

[TamilNet, Monday, 27 October 2003, 09:43 GMT]
More than two thousand people blocked the Mannar- Medawachchiya road Monday morning, demonstrating against alleged molestation and rape of women in Uyilankulam by Sri Lankan armed forces last week. Traffic on this key road to Mannar was blocked for more than two hours due to the demonstration. Hundreds came from villages around Uyilankulam to take part in the protest, TamilNet’s Mannar correspondent said.

The Bishop of Mannar, Rt. Rev. Rayappu Joseph, the President of the Mannar Citizen’s Committee, Rev. Emilianus Pillai, ex MP, Mr. Vino Noharathalingam and local community and religious leaders led the demonstration.

Addressing the demonstration, the Bishop of Mannar said that such incidents will continue as long as Sri Lankan armed forces remain in public and private buildings amidst people.

He urged the Sri Lankan government to bring the perpetrators before the law.

The Bishop faxed a memorandum about the rape and molestation to Sri Lanka’s President following the demonstration.

Villagers allege that two Policemen raped a retarded woman who was alone at her parent’s home in Uyilankulam on 18 October. The Police in Mannar did not arrest anyone in connection with the rape.

On Thursday 23 October three Policemen molested a mother of four. The woman, Mrs. Selvarajah, struggled herself free from the Policemen who were attempting to rape her. The Mannar Police has taken one Policeman in Uyilankulam into custody in connection with the attempted rape.