Torture victim attempts suicide

[TamilNet, Monday, 27 April 1998, 23:59 GMT]
Maayur Nagarajah (17) who was beaten and severely tortured at the Chullipuram Sri Lanka Army (SLA) camp, 12 km West from Jaffna, attempted to commit suicide last evening at his parents home fearing that the SLA was going to detain and torture him again, said sources in Jaffna.

After regaining partial consciousness at Jaffna Hospital he said, "I couldn't stand any more torture, that is why I tried to commit suicide."

The series of events leading up to the attempted suicide began when Maayur was picked by the SLA, taken to the Chullipuram camp and tortured.

Unable to withstand it any more, he had managed to escape on Thursday to his parent's home in the nearby village of Moolai.

The next morning the SLA had come to the village and warned its residents that they would be all arrested unless Maayur gave himself up.

This information was conveyed to Maayur by his brother. Confronted by this dilemma, Maayur ate Oleander seeds, which is known to have toxic properties, said sources.

He was removed to the Sanganai Hospital and from there to Jaffna Hospital. Though he has regained consciousness he is still not out of danger, said sources.