Curfew death in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 07 July 1999, 15:38 GMT]
Velayuthapillai Panchalingam 19, of Manthivil, Jaffna was shot dead at Thattankulam Junction last night around 9.45 p.m. Relatives say he might have been shot by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops whilst returning home because a curfew was in place at the time.

A man who works in a bakery in Erlalai, Jaffna was arrested at midnight by the SLA's "Motorbike Unit" said residents.

The SLA also conducted a cordon and search operation in Erlalai this morning.

The men in the area were taken to a nearby temple and were told to file past a hooded spotter.

Elsewhere, in Kaluwanchikudi, Batticaloa, two men were arrested at Paddiruppu bridge today.

Murugesu Illango of Eruvil, and an unidentified man from Palugamam were arrested because the latter had suspicious burn marks, said sources.

Paddiruppu bridge is the entry point into Tiger controlled areas in Batticaloa South.

Also, Vettivel Arulpirakasam was arrested today at Mariamman Kovil street Kaluwanchikudi, south of Batticaloa said sources.