5 abducted following SLA search operation in Vadamaraadchi

[TamilNet, Thursday, 22 May 2008, 07:18 GMT]
Five civilians including a couple have been abducted in three days last week after the large scale cordon and search operations carried out by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in Vadmaraadchi, according to complaints made to Human Rights Commission Office (HRC) in Jaffna Wednesday. Four of the abductions have taken place during the early hours of the day when the SLA imposed curfew was in force, by armed men in vehicles.

The complainants were scared to report to the authorities the abductions for fear of being killed by the abductors, and this is the reason for the complaints being registered late, HRC Investigation Officer said.

A couple from Rajakiraamam in Karaveddi West, Sellaiah Selvarasa, 46, and his wife Selvarasa Nirmalathevi, 43, abducted earlier on 1 May and released on 7 May, were again abducted 14 May by unidentified armed men in a vehicle around 4:00 a.m during curfew hours.

On the same day, around the same time, Manickavasagar Maharasa, 34, a family man from Thunnaalai in Karaveddi was abducted from his house by unknown armed men in a vehicle, when curfew was in force.

The fourth civilian abducted, Edwardrajah Vasantharoopan, 26, a father of 3 children and a resident of Aathikoayiladi, Valveddiththu’rai was abducted at dawn 16 May by armed men.

On 17 May, the General Manager of Uduppiddi Multi Purpose Co-operative Society, Nadesu Sritharan, 40, from Kara’navaai North, on his way to Manthikai Hospital on his bicycle was abducted by unidentified armed men.

Sritharan’s bicyle and cap were found lying along the road he was going to the hospital, family members said.

The abductions of the five civilians have shocked Vadamaraadchi residents who allege that the SLA search operations have a direct link in these abductions.