PLOTE-TELO clashes hold up food supply to Vanni

[TamilNet, Saturday, 13 February 1999, 22:32 GMT]
Food supply to the Vanni had come to a standstill for the past one week, due to the clashes between PLOTE and TELO, the paramilitary groups operating in the area, government officials in Vavuniya said today.

The fighting broke out between these two groups over a dispute on levying 'tax' from the traders in the Vavuniya town area.

Officials said that the drivers and cleaners are unable to go to the lorry park which is controlled and administered by PLOTE.

The drivers had complained to the government officials that the TELO cadres were threatening them whenever they pass through the TELO camp to get to their vehicles in the park.

Officials had contacted a leader of TELO, A.Adaikalanathan , who is also a Member of Parliament from the area, and have made arrangements to ease the tension.

TELO, however, had warned that the lorries should not pass by their camp, but should take an alternative route.

Government officials said that they hoped that the lorries will be able to travel to Vanni tomorrow.

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