Burglars operating during curfew

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 12 May 1998, 23:59 GMT]
The suburbs of Trincomalee town such as Anbuvelipuram, Chelvanayakapuram and Alles Gardens have been terrorised during the past few weeks by an armed gang of burglars who break into houses between 11:30 p.m. and 2:00 a.m., said sources in Trincomalee.

The problem surfaced only after April 14, when an unofficial curfew from 8:30 p.m. - 5:00 a.m. was clamped on the area.

Six homes have been robbed of jewellery and other valuables by this gang already, said sources.

The residents complained to the Uppuveli police, into whose purview these areas come. Though the Uppuveli police set up a committee, the incidents continued.

On May 6, the residents made written representations about the problem to the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Uppuveli and sent copies to other senior police officials and R Sambandan, MP (Tamil United Liberation Front).

Residents feel that the gang, which unconfirmed reports say travel by vehicle, is able to move around during curfew hours because either the police or the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) is hand in glove with them, said sources.