(Lanka-e-News -18.Jan.2012, 9.30PM) A distribution of leaflets campaign was organized on the 17th in Jaffna by ‘Joint Organizations against abductions and disappearances’ opposing the abductions and disappearances of persons raging these days . A large number of representatives and members belonging to 17 Organizations left for Jaffna today in view of this campaign.These representatives however had been stopped at Puliyankulam by the security division. The officers have told these prospective participants in the campaign that they cannot go to Jaffna , and they can , if they wish go to Mulaitivu.
Consequent upon this refusal , a tense situation had arisen between the security division officers and the members of the Organizations leading to protests by the Organizations which had not dispersed even in the evening . The security divisions , at any rate had been unrelentingly obstructing the protestors.
Those who joined in this jointly organized campaign were , representatives of 17 political parties and Organizations including people’s revolutionary campaign, United Socialist party, Nava sama samaja party ,Mao Lanka communist party , Lanka sama samaja alternative group, Samajawadhi party , Samajawadhi Organization , Proxies united, Peoples March Organization , We are Sri Lankans, Janatha Lawyers Organization , Lawyers Organization for Democracy, Media Organization for Democracy, Students Organization for Human rights protection ,Inter Company workers Association , Samastha Lanka telecom service Association , Samastha Lanka suva sewa Association.
The photographs herein reveal the protests staged when they were obstructed.
Hereunder is a report released by Udul Premaratne , the convener of ‘We are Sri Lankans’ :
1. Our Organizations arrived here today to demonstrate our opposition and protests against the abductions and disappearances of persons , and to notify the public in this regard. The Govt. and the Forces have uninterruptedly hindered us in our efforts.
2. Initially , at ‘Punawa’ district , about 4 kms. from Vavuniya , the police STF stopped the bus we were traveling and told us that the ‘Murukandi’ bridge is broken down , and cannot allow us to proceed further.
3. Thereafter , about 2 kms from Vavuniya, in front of the Joseph camp , and again 1 km. from Vavuniya, in front of the police headquarters , we were subject to a search for one hour ,without any reason .
4. Not enough the harassment , again at Nandikulam , Vavuniya, the bus was stopped , and a three hour search was conducted on the bus on the ground that they had information of a bomb being transported .
5. Then, after the bus has traveled 5 kms. passing Vavuniya , the bus was stopped alleging that , on a search 4 bombs were found in a lorry that went before us. Hence , as the bombs in the lorry are being defused by the Forces, we cannot be permitted to go any further on security grounds.
6. Later , at Murapola security post we were delayed for two hours , and every nook and corner of the bus was searched .
It became very clear to all that the conduct of the police and the forces was most ridiculous and calculated . Subsequently , when we passed all these points , we noticed no damaged bridge , no bomb carrying lorry or bomb disposal operations . On top of all these dastardly and obstructive actions of the police and the forces, at about 1.30 p.m., a group of marauders and thugs broke into the ‘Thinakural Rest’ Hotel which was reserved for a media meeting with our participation , and caused damage to the equipments in the Hotel and three vehicles in the vicinity . In the midst of all these impediments and hooliganism , about 950 of us distributed handbills in Kilinochchi to the public to enlighten them on the dire crises we are facing ,and the criminal sinister activities of the Govt.
It became very clear to all that the conduct of the police and the forces was most ridiculous and calculated . Subsequently , when we passed all these points , we noticed no damaged bridge , no bomb carrying lorry or bomb disposal operations . On top of all these dastardly and obstructive actions of the police and the forces, at about 1.30 p.m., a group of marauders and thugs broke into the ‘Thinakural Rest’ Hotel which was reserved for a media meeting with our participation , and caused damage to the equipments in the Hotel and three vehicles in the vicinity . In the midst of all these impediments and hooliganism , about 950 of us distributed handbills in Kilinochchi to the public to enlighten them on the dire crises we are facing ,and the criminal sinister activities of the Govt.
