Court places 12 Tamil Nadu fishermen, 6 civilians in remand

[TamilNet, Saturday, 19 April 2008, 16:59 GMT]
Kayts Court Magistrate, Joy Mahatheva, directed Kayts police Thursday to continue to detain the 12 Tamil Nadu fishermen arrested in Kachchaitheevu seas and the 6 civilians arrested in Neduntheevu seas on their way to Tamil Nadu as refugees, in Jaffna Prison, atleast until the law enforcement authorities receive instructions from Attorney General’s office in Colombo, legal sources in Kayts said.

The Tamil Nadu fishermen and the civilians were detained in Jaffna Prison when they were first produced in Kayts Court after their arrests by Sri Lanka Navy (SLN).

When Kayts police produced these detainees Thursday again they told the magistrate they had not received any instructions from the Attorney General’s office in Colombo directing the course of action to be taken against the detainees.

Kayts Magistrate Joy Mahadeva directed the police to continue the detainment in Jaffna Prison until instructions from Attorney General arrive.

Lawyers appearing on behalf of the detainees said that their clients are being subjected to unnecessary suffering in Jaffna Prison due to the inefficient handling by the Attorney General’s office.

Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in Kayts arrested 11 civilians from Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) held Vanni on their way to Tamil Nadu on Kachchaitheevu seas 25 March early morning, according to the statements in Kayts Magistrate Court where the civilians were produced before Kayts Magistrate Ms. Mahatheva.