2ND LEAD (CORRECTION)

SLN confiscates outboard motors of Neduntheevu fishermen

[TamilNet, Sunday, 27 May 2007, 18:17 GMT]
Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) soldiers Sunday confiscated all outboard engines belonging to Neduntheevu fishermen while allowing the passenger transport by boat between Ku'rikaadduvaan in Pungkudutheevu to Neduntheevu, sources in the islet said. Neduntheevu residents trapped in Jaffna peninsula for three days were able to return to the islet, civil society sources said.

SLN commanders summoned all fishermen for a meeting Saturday accused the residents of not providing vital information on the impending attack by the Tigers and for failing to co-operate with the troops.

The Commanders then ordered all fishermen to handover the outboard motors to the SLN camp on Sunday.

The predominantly fishing population of Neduntheevu will be unable to undertake deep-sea fishing without the outboard motors and will suffer severe economic impact, fisheries officials in Jaffna said.

Reports from the islet indicated that the SLN commanders are seriously considering shutting down the SLN camp that was overrun by the Sea Tigers' pre-dawn attack Thursday.

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