SLA allows limited cultivation in Thenmaradchi HSZ lands

[TamilNet, Saturday, 22 October 2005, 04:52 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Friday morning handed over a portion of agricultural lands in Thanankilappu in Thenmaradchy Jaffna coming within the purview of high security zone of Thenmaradchchi south division in Jaffna district for cultivation. Farmers who have obtained prior permission from the SLA will be allowed daily to the agricultural lands within the stipulated time, according to the restriction imposed by the SLA, civil sources said.

At an event held Friday morning Major Pradeep Gamage of SLA De-Mining Unit handed over to Mr. K.Srinivasan, Thenmaradchchi Divisional Secretary the necessary documents declaring that the released agricultural plots with about two square km in extent are free of mines.

Mr.Grame, Officer-in-Charge of the Jaffna District De-Mining Co-ordinating Unit, Mr.Thiruchenthilanthan President of the Federation of Farmers Associations and several other army officials participated in the event, civil sources said.

Of about five thousand acres of paddy fields which are located in the Thenamaradchchi HSZ , only about 450 acres have been released for cultivation by the SLA. The De-Mining Unit also confirmed that only this extent has been declared free of mines, sources said.

However, the SLA has decided to continue the closure of the Thanankilappu Road for public use but has opened a new access road for the farmers to go to their agricultural plots through the SLA camp which is located along the railway station road close to Chavakachcheri town, sources said.

Meanwhile, SLA is expected to hand over Monday a portion of high lands which are located in the vicinity of forward defense line (FDL) of Palaly high security zone along Achchuvey-Thambanai road for cultivation by farmers of the area.

SLA De-mining Unit has declared the lands free of mine, sources said.