SLMM told of STF harassment in Amparai

[TamilNet, Thursday, 25 May 2006, 01:46 GMT]
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Head of Amparai District Political Wing, Mr. Jeya, registered a complaint with the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) detailing the harassment caused by the Kanchirankuda Sri Lanka Special Task Force (STF) to the residents of Amparai district, sources in Amparai said. The complaint was made during a meeting with SLMM Amparai District representatives Tuesday 10.00 a.m at the LTTE political wing office at Pavatta in Amparai district, sources from Amparai said.

"The STF troopers stationed at Kanchirankuda obstruct and threaten cultivators from Sri Lanka Army (SLA) controlled area going to their paddy fields, they attack fishermen engaged in night fishing in the Thirukovil sea, they assault residents in Pottuvil, and destroy compound walls and fences of houses along the streets in Thirukovil during night time search operations," Jeya said he told the SLMM Head of District, Butti Ericsson.

"The STF also have threatened civilians who have participated in protest demonstrations held during the peace period. I also brought to the attention of the SLMM the atrocities of the paramilitaries operating with the SLA, against innocent civilians," LTTE Amparai political head said.

The SLMM representatives had responded they could act only after consultation with their superiors and they would take necessary action through them, Jeya said.