SLA shoots at civilians in Meesaalai

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 18 July 2007, 17:39 GMT]
A youth was killed and family man was seriously injured when Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Field Bike Squad (FBS) troops opened fire on civilians, following the exchange of fire between SLA road patrol unit and a group of unidentified armed men Tuesday around 6:00 p.m., near Arasadi junction along Dutch Road in Meesaalai in Thenmaraadchi. Chaavakachcheari police recovered the body of the youth killed in the incident and handed the body over to Jaffna Teaching hospital Wednesday for identification.

The 40 year old family man, M. Naguleswaran, who was seriously injured in the SLA fire, was first admitted to Chaavakachcheari hospital and then transferred to Jaffna Teaching hospital for further intensive treatment.

The FBS troops looted two houses located close to the site of the clash, taking away all valuables, after owners of the houses took refuge in a safer area, sources in Meesaalai said.

The troopers also forcibly confiscated the National Identity Cards (NIC) of youths residing in surrounding areas and ordered them to report at the SLA camp to get their NICs back.

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