Nine civilians reported missing

[TamilNet, Monday, 29 December 1997, 23:59 GMT]
Nine civilians who went recently into Uruthirapuram in Kilinochchi which is ahead of the army's forward defence localities (FDLs) in the area to inspect their houses and lands have been reported missing.

Five others who were in the same group are said to be in the custody of the Sri Lankan army.

One of these was handed over to the Sri Lankan Police at Chavakachcheri, in Jaffna with severe assault injuries said sources in Jaffna.

The Sri Lankan army captured Kilinochchi last year in a massive operation. Over 200,000 residents of Kilinochchi and its suburbs fled the area.