Civilians fearful of SLA, paramilitaries

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 13 October 1999, 14:17 GMT]
Residents of Kaluvankerni village in the Batticaloa district marched to the Divisional Secretary's office in Eravur and submitted a memorandum this morning, appealing to 'safeguard them from the atrocities committed by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and its auxiliary force called Razeek group'.

In the memorandum submitted to the Divisional Secretary, residents have said that every time members of the SLA and its auxiliary force come to the village, at least one innocent civilian is killed and it has become a routine.

Recently, a school student, Nageswary, her mother, Yogeswary and another civilian, Puvenanthiraraja were shot dead in the village, by the army and the members of the Razeek Group, the villagers said.

"We are unable to lead a peaceful life in our village. We do not know what will happen to us next minute. Please save us from the atrocities committed the army and its auxiliary force," the villagers have appealed in the memorandum.

Copies of the memorandum have been sent to all members of parliament of the district, the Military Co-ordinating Authority, the Government Agent and to the heads of all local and foreign non-governmental organisations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Sources in Batticaloa said this is the first demonstration held in the SLA controlled areas in the district, against atrocities committed by the troops.