4 Tamil herdsmen reported missing in Ampaa’rai

[TamilNet, Thursday, 19 March 2009, 06:44 GMT]
Four Tamil herdsmen who went to graze their cattle on 23 January in the area between Ampaa’rai and Batticaloa district boundaries, with permission from Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers had gone missing, according to complaints made to the police authorities. More than 500 cattle taken for grazing in Pullukannaava, Manka’lakama, Keviliyaamadu and Vakkiyella are reported missing too.

The four herdsmen gone missing are, Paalippoadi Kunasekaran, 49, of Paruththichcheanai, Kathirkama Podi Nesathurai, 47, from Makizhadiththeevu, Markandu Kunasingam, 33, of Munaikkaadu and Thambirasa Murukesu, 45, from Koththiyaapulai.

Complaints were also made to R. Thurairatnam, member of Eastern Provincial council who had written to the President of Sri Lanka to order action taken to have the four herdsmen and the cattle recovered.

Many herdsmen from Batticaloa and Ampaa’rai districts who had gone to graze their herds with permission from SLA have mysteriously disappeared in recent times creating fear and anxiety among the other herdsmen who are reluctant to take their herds for grazing.