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| Mullaitivu: Military calls shots |
When people of Mullaiththeevu for the first time in last three years gathered in hundreds in front of the district secretariat on Friday, to demand resettlement in their village at Keappaa-pulavu in the district, the occupying Sinhala military deployed in large numbers responded with intimidation of taking videos of the demonstrators and by arranging a gang to throw dirt at them. After throwing dirt the gang escaped by getting into a nearby SL police station. Later, a motorbike gang followed the vehicle in which Mr S. Kajendran was returning from the demonstration and another vehicle in which media persons were travelling, and attacked them near Mu’l’liyava’lai.
The demonstration was led by TNA parliamentarian for Vanni, Mr Sritharan, TNPF leaders Mr. Gajendrakumar Ponnampalam and Mr S. Kajendran, leading civil society activist Mr. Guruparan Kumaravadivel as well as Dr. Wikramabahu Karunaratne, Mr. Mano Ganeshan and leaders of the United Socialist Party from the South.
The demonstration participated by more than around 400 local people, including the villagers of Keappaa-pulavu, took place for nearly one and a half hours between 11-30 AM and 1-00 PM.
SL military is currently stationed in the village Keappaa-pulavu and recently there was news that the occupying military plans a permanent base there.
“We want our land, let the military quit our homeland,” the demonstrators demanded.
An SL military officer of the rank of Major was engaged in an intimidating way in videographing the demonstrators.
Later, speaking to media, Mr. Gajendrakumar Ponnampalam expressed his concern over how the OHCHR team that visited the island for a week is going to present its report. Everything moves towards a planned hoodwink, he implied.
All leaders who participated the demonstration opined that the affected people are left with no option other than struggle and demonstration in addressing the world and in letting the world know of their plight.
TN