Jaffna forces strengthen defences

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 08 May 2002, 23:11 GMT]
Sri Lanka’s security forces in Jaffna have strengthened their defences and increased their security checks on civilians, press reports said Wednesday. The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) are building new defence lines and bunkers in the Thenmaradchi, Vadamaradchi and Valigamam sectors according to the Tamil language Thinakkural.

Restrictions on travel and the harassment of civilians on civilians travelling in and out of the islets around Jaffna have also increased following the tension caused by the navy’s refusal to allow Tamil Tigers there on political duties last week. Residents said security checks had been relaxed somewhat by the SLN based in Karainagar but have now returned to their original levels.

Those travelling to Karainagar are being subjected to detailed body searches, as well as thorough checks on their belongings and vehicles, the paper said. Their national identity card numbers are also registered before being allowed to proceed. Civilians travelling through the SLN checkpoint in Valanthanai are made to walk long distances. Those travelling to the Kasurina beach are also facing increasing harassment, the paper said.