Militarization in the North; More permanent military camps in Vavuniya

The Vavuniya District Land Development Committee has granted permission to set up permanent army and police camps in the Kanakarayanakulam, Puliyankulam areas.

This decision was taken last Sunday at the district Development meeting held under the Chairmanship of District Secretary, Bandula Harischandra at the Vavuniya District Secretary’s office.

Following the meeting, the police will be allocated a land of five acres and another of five acres is to be given to the army.

Meanwhile, police have been allocated two acres and the army seven acres in Kanakarayankulam.

Also, half an acre in Puliyankulam has been allocated for the health dept, half and acre at Katkulam junction for the primary health centre, one acre in Nainamadu area for a livestock veterinary center, 11 acres for a school on the A9 in Puliyankulam, five acres for an Ayurveda hospital in Nainamadu, one and half acres in Muttumari town area for a cultural center, half and acre for a provincial hospital in Nedunkerni area, 20 perches for a co-op in Mannakulam Kollaru area, 35 acres for the Indian housing project in Parasankulam and for cultivation activities 15 acres in Mudiyarkulam, 42 acres in Kattikulam, 120 acres in Thandikulam have been allocated.

Militarization continues

The annual report to the UN Security Council on Children and Conflict clearly stated the militarization in the North.

Although the Defence Ministry has assured to reduce the military personnel in the Jaffna peninsula, which is currently at one soldier for every eight civilians, it has not happened.

The militarization is the Wanni is far greater with a ratio of one soldier for every three civilians.

Tamil political parties and civil society organizations have shown that this situation prevented the Tamil civilians from carrying out their normal lives.