Tamil farmer seeks protection with Jaffna HRC

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 14 May 2008, 10:19 GMT]
A 33-year-old farmer from Ka'l'liyangkaadu within Jaffna Municipal council area surrendered himself Tuesday at the office of Jaffna Human Rights Commission (HRC) seeking protection complaining that he has been continuously receiving death threats in the past few days. Incidents of extortion from businessmen, building contractors and traders in Jaffna peninsula have been rapidly escalating in the recent months, a spokesman for civil groups said.

The victim, a father of three has told the HRC officials that ever since Sinnathurai Pathmagunaseelan, 47, a popular businessman, the owner of a flower garden from the same area was shot dead last Saturday night by unidentified gunmen, he has been receiving threats from unknown sources.

Jaffna prison officials have taken steps to shelter the victim in protective custody.

Sri Lanka Army (SLA) backed paramilitary groups have been terrorizing business owners in the North during nights, a spokesman for the consortium of Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) told media Tuesday.