Military activity intimidates farmers

[TamilNet, Thursday, 08 October 1998, 22:22 GMT]
Five employees working in a farm in Thandikkulam, 2 km north of Vavuniya were arrested by the Sri Lankan Police on Monday following a claymore mine explosion near the farm on Saturday.

The police say that they suspect some of the employees of the farm might have involved mine-attack.

The arrested persons are: Kanthaiya Paramanathan (45), Muththusami Irathinam (43), Aarumukam Thiruvarutchelvam (23), Paramalingam Satkunaraja (35) and Thevaraja Adaikalam Alex Robinson(19).

The police in Vavuniya had asked them to come to the Vavuniya police station and detained them, said sources.

Meanwhile, the police has asked two night-watchmen of the farm to report to the Vavuniya police station, the sources said.

A Sri Lankan Army soldier and a civilian were killed and two soldiers were wounded in the blast.

Following the arrest, other workers have stopped reporting for work at the farm, saying that the military activities nearby continue to cause fear and troubles.

Farm officials complained that the development would affect production especially as the sewing season was approaching.