STF cordons, searches Amparai villages

[TamilNet, Thursday, 22 June 2006, 11:00 GMT]
Special Task Force (STF) soldiers of Sri Lanka Army (SLA) cordoned off and searched Akkaraipattu, Aalaiyadi Vembu, Vaachikuda, Naavatkuda and Kolavil areas of Amparai district from 4:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Thursday, security sources said. Soldiers had in their possession a target list of names and registration numbers of motorbikes, local residents said.

Ten civilians were taken to the Akkaraipattu STF camp for further interrogation, residents said.

Tamil paramilitaries also accompanied the STF soldiers during the search operation, according to Tamil residents of the area.

The search operation may have been intended to apprehend civilians who have taken part on the Liberation Tigers self-defence training exercises, residents alleged.

More than 5000 families live in the area that was searched.

Akkaraipattu is located 64 km south of Batticaloa town.