LTTE cadres released, hartal called off in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Monday, 17 February 2003, 11:58 GMT]
The Trincomalee Magistrate Mr.S.Thiagendran Monday released the two women cadres of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on surety bail and the hartal (general shut down) which was being observed in the east port town Monday demanding the release of them from morning was called off by noon, sources in Trincomalee said.

The case filed by the Police against two LTTE women cadres Sivalingam Nanthini alias Navani, and Maheswaran Thiagaledchumi alias Suganthi was taken up for inquiry Monday on a motion filed by Attorney-at-Law Mr.K.Sivapalan that they should be released.

Attorney Sivapalan in his submission to court denied the allegation that the suspects were engaged in recruiting personnel to join the movement. He added that there was no evidence against the LTTE cadres to prove the allegation.

The Police did not object to releasing the LTTE cadres on bail. Hence the Magistrate ordered surety bail for the LTTE women cadres and put off the further inquiry for May 2, legal sources said.

Thereafter public announcement was made in the Trincomalee town through loud hailer calling off the hartal (general shut down) stating the two LTTE women cadres had been released.

Shops, banks, provicincial council offices, schools and other business establishments which did not function and the town was deserted due to hartal observed Monday from early morning, resumed their functions later, sources said.


Two LTTE women cadres are getting down from the prison van with prison guards at the court house


LTTE Trincomalee district political leader Mr. Tilak speaks to the SLMM monitor Mr.Abdel Furkhan and Ms E.Tuli at the entrance to the court house


Trincomalee town during hartal morning