Halo Trust staffer’s sister abducted in Maanippaay

[TamilNet, Friday, 30 May 2008, 15:48 GMT]
Unidentified persons, arriving at the house of a ‘Halo Trust’ demining Non-governmental Organization staffer in Maanippaay 23 May in a three-wheeler, forcibly abducted his sister after blind folding her and tightly binding her mouth, according to complaint lodged with Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna office.

The young woman abducted is Subramaniam Premarangini, 22, originally from Charasaalai North in Thenmaraadchi, who had moved to Maanippaay in Valikaamam with her parents and brothers due to death threats and fear.

The abductors had first asked the woman whether any of her brothers are working for ‘Halo Trust’ and as she was answering them they overpowered her and took her away, the complainant told HRC officials.

No information of the abducted woman is yet known.

So far, more than ten employees from ‘Halo Trust’ have been either killed or abducted and disappeared in Jaffna Peninsula.

Most of the persons placed in protective custody in Jaffna Prison are residents of Thenmaraadchi who had sought protection due to death threats by Sri Lanka Arny (SLA) troops and the paramilitaries operating with them, HRC sources said.

Halo Trust is an NGO currently involved in de-mining operations in Jaffna district.