Renewed operation in Vadamaradchi

[TamilNet, Thursday, 16 April 1998, 23:59 GMT]
The Sri Lankan army began another operation into the Vadamaradchi east region on the southeastern coast of Jaffna this morning around 6 a.m. This region and parts of the Thenmaradchi division such as Eluthumattuvaal north and Meesalai north which are contiguous with it are not under the SLA control.

The SLA moved on foot from its positions in Vallipuram through the shrub jungle, avoiding the main track, in the direction of Amban residents of the area said.

They also said that one civilian was arrested by SL troops in Amban.

Some sources in the area claimed that the army personnel at the entry points to the 'uncleared' region have informed civilians that all movement in and out of the area would be stopped for five days.

The SLA, according to them has banned farmers in the area from transporting their paddy harvest out of the area for marketing.

The harvest in the rice fields of the Thenmaradchi sector which are in the areas not controlled by the army have had a very good harvest this season sources said.

Hence the ban on the transport of paddy will severely affect the farmers here they said.

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