STF, SLA conduct search in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Saturday, 21 March 2009, 03:34 GMT]
Special Task Force (STF) commandos and Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers conducted a cordon and search Friday from 5:30 a.m to 11:00 a.m in Aarayampathi area in Kaaththaankudi police division in Batticaloa district. As no policeman or policewoman was engaged in this search fear and tension prevailed among the residents who were subjected to rigorous search and interrogation by the commandos and the soldiers who entered their houses, sources in Batticaloa said.

All the houses around Paramanaathar Koayil and Murukan Koayil in Aarayampathi were searched and the National Identity Cards (NICs) of all persons meticulously checked.

The search party also went to building construction sites and offices where building masons and office workers were detained and interrogated.

They were released after interrogation.

Meanwhile, a similar search operation was launched Friday in Peaththaazhai Veeraiyadi Pi’l’laiyaar Koayil in Vaazhaichcheanai police division where some youths were detained and interrogated.

The detained youths were released later.