Search operation in Valaichenai

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 23 June 1999, 23:05 GMT]
The Sri Lankan Army (SLA) and the police cordoned off and searched several villages in the Valaichenai area, 32 kilometers north of Batticaloa, from the early hours of the morning until noon today.

The villages of Kannankiramam, Kannakipuram, Vinayakapuram and Paythaalai were searched during the combined operation by the army and police said sources said.

The forces ordered the males to gather at public places and searched all the houses in the villages the sources said.

Hundreds of people were herded to Kalmadhu SLA camp and Valaichenai police station for further interrogation, the sources added.

They were allowed to go this after noon. However, it could not be confirmed whether anyone was detained.