Army accused of committing human rights violations in the East

by- Our news reporter from Batticaloa

(December, 06, Batticaloa, Sri Lanka Guardian) News reaching from eastern province confirms two serious incidences of human rights violations have been committed by the army on 5 December 2007. Sources confirm both these violations were well planned and carried out by the army.

A leading businessman Mr Kanesappa was shot and killed by four army personnel’s who went on motorcycles to his house in Kaluvankerni at about 2.30am. They forcefully entered the house and shot him at point bank range. Mr Kanesappa is a well known businessman and is said to have provided funds to the LTTE when the east was under LTTE control. Further inquiries reveal he was forced to part with the money by the LTTE and since the LTTE was driven out he was peacefully running his business without any pressures from them. He has even told his satisfaction that LTTE has been driven out of the East.

The killing has sent chilling fear among the population in the East and people close to Mr Kanesappa are bluntly saying it is the work of the army. Gun shots were heard by the people following speeding motorbikes noise in the area.

The second incident relates to the kidnap of the president of Builders Association Mr Mahendran. He was kidnapped by army personnels at about 11.30 am and his fate or whereabouts is still not known. Mr Mahendran was kidnapped in Batticaloa, an area covered by the Special Task Force. How the army was able to carryout the kidnap in the STF controlled area is questioned by the people.

Further inquiries reveal some section of the army has decided to pursue a campaign of terror against the Tamil and Muslim citizens to weaken them from playing any leading role in the East.