Civilian movements restricted

[TamilNet, Friday, 21 November 1997, 23:59 GMT]
The Sri Lankan Army continued to tighten up travel restrictions at the entry points to the Paduvankarai region (the vast western hinterland) in the Batticaloa district, which is under the LTTE's control for the Maveerar week.

Colour paper and other items used for decorations are being confiscated by the SLA at these points.

People from whom such items have been confiscated are told that they can take them back after Nov. 27 (the day on which Maveerar week concludes).

Unconfirmed reports said that travel might be completely banned to Paduvankarai and other areas such as Vakarai and Vadamunai, which are also under LTTE control, on November 26. and 27.

Meanwhile, Officials of the Liberation Tigers in these areas have told all government servants and school teachers that they should not take leave until Nov. 27.

LTTE have also instructed that no one can leave areas controlled by the them during the Maveerar Week without obtaining special permission from their officials.

School children in Paduvankarai have asked to bring garlands for Maveerar day.

Tigers have placed orders for twenty five foot garlands as well said residents from Palugamam and Kokkaddicholai.

Meanwhile, the LTTE in Paduvankarai recovered the body of their Navatkadu area officer from the lagoon above Maanthivu northwest of the Batticaloa town on Wednesday around 3 p.m.

The area official called Paakki was killed in an army ambush while crossing the lagoon in a boat on Tuesday around 7 a.m. in the morning. He was buried in Vilavettuvan the same day.

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