Massive search operation in Colombo

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 01 April 1998, 23:59 GMT]
More than 1500 Tamils were arrested in a massive cordon and search operation by the Sri Lankan army and Police. The operation began around 10.30 p.m. last night in Kochchikkadai, Kotahena, Chekku street, Sea street and nearby areas. It was on until 3.30 a.m. in the early hours of the morning today.

The arrested persons were herded to the Foreshore Police station near the Colombo port.

More than a thousand people, the kith and kin of the detained crowds, thronged in front of the Foreshore Police station from early morning.

The arrested persons are being screened and released said Police sources in downtown Colombo.

However, large crowds continued to anxiously hang around the Foreshore Police late in the evening.

In a similar cordon and search operation in Kotahena, the Foreshore and Bambalapitiya 10 days ago more than 1500 Tamils were arrested.

Yesterday Sri Lankan army and Police launched a joint operation in the early hours of the morning in Dehiwela, a suburb of Colombo, to screen Tamils living in the area.

More than three hundred Tamils were taken for screening in the operation yesterday.

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31.03.98   300 Tamils rounded up in Dehiwela
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