INGOs strengthen security of Jaffna Offices

[TamilNet, Friday, 15 December 2006, 22:51 GMT]
Both International and local Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Jaffna are reinforcing security arrangements around their offices in the last two weeks due to violent incidents and abductions taking place close to their offices, sources in Jaffna said.

Offices of ICRC, UNHCR, UN, TRO and several other NGOs are located in Temple Road in Nallur Jaffna, also known as the ' VIP' road.

The wall enclosing the UN office compound is being strengthened and raised to ten feet making it difficult for anyone to trespass or break-in. ICRC office is constructing an additional iron fence four feet high to prevent invaders.

A representative of an international NGO who wish to remain anonymous said, that the hand grenade attack in front of ICRC office, the sporadic clashes between the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troopers and unidentified armed men on Temple road where the ICRC office is located, the burning of the Tamils Rehabilitation Office (TRO) and the abduction of Halo Trust employees have created an environment of insecurity among the NGO community.

The SLA and the police have increased patrols in Temple road in recent weeks.