SUMMARY

Military operations intensified during the week, and clashes were reported especially around the area of Mannar. The SLMM had not received reliable numbers on casualties.

 

Security concerns in Jaffna continued, and 12 people asked for protective custody during the week. It was revealed that the new courthouse to be opened on 25 October would serve as shelter for those asking for protective custody.

 

There was a continuing trend of abductions and assassinations in the Eastern Region (ER). The SLMM received reports on 21 people being abducted, including complaints and cases occurring previous to the period of reporting. Two cases included children. The TamilEela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP)/Karuna group was the reported perpetrator in eight of the abductions, including both child abductions.

 

There were concerns on ongoing reports on TMVP/Karuna group harassment and abductions and police reluctance to intervene. Information gathered by the SLMM said police did not act unless other organisations intervened. A high-ranking police officer told the SLMM the police should act on complaints. Furthermore it was reported that TMVP/Karuna group members passed through checkpoints without hindrance when carrying guns or transporting abductees.

 

 

NORTHERN REGION

 

Military Operations:

Increased intensity in military operations and confrontations between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and Security Forces (SF) were reported during the week, especially in the area of Mannar. While the situation in the urban centre of Vavuniya was calm, shelling continued on a daily basis from SF bases. There was ongoing fighting in West Mantai and around Madhu.

 

Shelling was heard from the area west of Vavuniya and north of Kilinochchi throughout the period.

 

On 1 October heavy shelling towards the B69 road east of Nallur was registered. Firing in the area is not usual. The same day the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) carried out an air strike in Visuvamadu, 10kms west of Kilinochchi. One civilian was injured and a house completely damaged, according to reports. Also on 1 October, confrontations took place between the LTTE and SF in Kurunchankulam, Vilattikulam, Parappakandal and Thampanai, Mannar district. The area is considered to be a regular hotspot. Three LTTE cadres were killed in an operation by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in Nagarkovil on the Jaffna west coast on 1 October.

 

On 2 October exchange of fire, including mortar fire, was reported in Kuduruvittankulam, Vavuniya district while further confrontations between the LTTE and the SF were reported west of Giant’s Tank, Narikkulam and Uliyankulam North on 2 October.

 

On 3 October confrontations between the LTTE and the SLA took place on the sea outside Kokkuthudai and Pulmoddai on the northwest coast while the LTTE and SF clashed in Vilattikulam and Thampanai, Mannar District.

 

On 3 October confrontations were registered in Kilaly, Jaffna district. Furthermore, shelling was carried out by both Parties in the area of Omantai. This did not affect the opening of the Omantai Entry/Exit (E/E) point.

 

On 6 October two LTTE cadres were killed in a confrontation with SF south of Mullikkulam. On 7 October a SLA soldier was killed in Thenmaradchi, Jaffna district, by an exploding hand grenade reportedly thrown by the LTTE.

 

Restoration of Normalcy:

Two men were killed in Nallur, Jaffna district, on 3 and 4 October respectively, while a man was abducted in the same town on 2 October. On 3 October a man (26) was abducted in Valikamam South, Jaffna district, and on 1 October a man (23) was reported missing in Chavakachcheri, Jaffna district.

 

In addition, the SLMM received information on seven incidents occurring in the Northern Region (NR) previous to the period of reporting, whereby three men killed and four abducted.

 

The SLA confiscated a number of ID cards from civilians during a search operation in the area of Chankaanai, northwest of Jaffna, on 1 October. The civilians were told to collect the ID cards from SLA camps in the area.

 

12 people, all men aged 20-41 surrendered to the police in Jaffna for protective custody with the help of the Human Rights Commission (HRC).

 

The SLMM received a complaint from a man in Vavuniya being intimidated by the TMVP/Karuna group, and a further complaint on threats received by a father and son.

 

 

EASTERN REGION

 

Military Operations:

NTR.

 

Restoration of Normalcy:

On 4 October SF found two bodies (male aged 25-30) on the railway in Vinayagapuram, 12kms northwest of Batticaloa. The victims had gunshot wounds in the head and they were tied and blindfolded. On 2 October a man (41) was shot and injured by unknown gunmen in Kathankudy, 5kms south of Batticaloa. In addition the SLMM received information on a man killed previously to the period of reporting.

 

Abductions continued to be a major issue in the Eastern Region (ER), and the SLMM registered 13 abductions last week, including nine reported to the police and four to the SLMM. Two of the reports included children, reportedly abducted by the TMVP/Karuna group. Additionally, eight abductions occurring previous to the period of reporting were registered.

 

On 1 October a woman (26) was abducted by a group of unidentified armed men in Vavunativu, 6kms southwest of Batticaloa. Additional information gathered by the SLMM said seven armed men, some in SF uniforms, were the perpetrators. Furthermore, a boy (15) was abducted the same day while riding a bicycle in Mavadivembu, 20kms north of Batticaloa, reportedly by the TMVP/Karuna group.

 

Two abductions were reported on 2 October; a man (62) was abducted in Savkkady, 4kms east of Eravur, while another was abducted close to his home in the Refugee Camp Savukkady. The TMVP/Karuna group was suspected in both cases.

 

On 3 October a man was abducted in Trincomalee by a group of armed people. The following day a man (30) was abducted in his house outside Ampara by 12 men dressed similar to police officers. On 5 October a man (44) was abducted in his home in Puliyankulam, Trincomalee district, by four armed men in a white van. The van, along with a motorbike, passed through an SF check point located 200 meters away. The victim had previously been held against his will in the TMVP/Karuna group main office in Trincomalee and severely beaten. Two men were abducted on 6 and 7 October in Trincomalee and Vellavely, 20kms south of Batticaloa, respectively.

 

The SLMM received four complaints on abductions during the week. Two took place in Batticaloa district, while the third included a boy (17) in Trincomalee, who reportedly was abducted by the TMVP/Karuna group and family members had been informed he had been sent to Batticaloa. Further one attempt on abduction in Batticaloa was reported. The victim managed to escape.

 

The SLMM learned that some political parties could not work in public and campaign for their political platform because of security concerns. It was believed local elections would be held in Batticaloa district. However, it was still difficult to hold elections for the Eastern Provincial Council because of the number of IDPs in the area and the continuing presence of armed groups.

 

The SLMM brought to the attention of the police reports that the TMVP/Karuna group was moving past check points with arms and/or abductees, and that the police in general failed to act on cases where the TMVP/Karuna group was suspected of abductions or other crimes. A high-ranking police officer stated that all police stations were instructed to take all complaints. If someone should experience that the local police would not take their complaints, they should approach the SSP’s office.

 

 

ADMINISTRATION

One new SLMM monitor arrived during the week. The new monitor would be based in Colombo.