SLA threatens villagers protesting illegal sand mining in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 06 December 2011, 23:29 GMT]
The commander of the occupying Sri Lanka Army camp at Mu'rakkoddaagncheanai and the police officer-in-charge from Ea'raavoor station on Monday dispersed the villagers from Chantha'na-madu-aa'ru who gathered in front of Chiththaa'ndi Murugan Temple to protest against illegal sand mining allegedly being carried out by a paramilitary person of Pillayan group, who is also a member in the civic body of Chengkaladi Piratheasa Chapai (PS).

The people of Chantha'na-madu river basin have been complaining that their village was in the danger of being submerged in water due to illegal sand mining, which continues despite their complaints.

In the meantime, Pillayan group personnel in the area dismissed the rumours that their man behind the alleged operation of illegal sand mining had gone into hiding or being investigated under arrest. However, they came with a different explanation saying that the person was mentally deranged and action was being taken to appoint another person replacing him in the civic body.

However, despite the explanations by the paramilitary group, the illegal sand mining is continuing in the river bank, according to the protesters who were dispersed by the occupying SL Army and Police on Monday.

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