Forced registration in Batticaloa

Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has instructed residents of Vellaveli in Batticaloa district to register with the village level officers (Grama Niladhari-GN), civil society sources in Batticaloa said. The SLA has directed the GN to submit all names of residents of the village in forms supplied to them. SLA has also directed the villagers to indicate whether the household members include ex-cadres of the LTTE and disabled due to conflict. This has caused tension and fear among the villagers.

Batticaloa district Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian Mr.P.Selvarajah' on receipt of complaints from villagers' met the Batticaloa District Army Commanding Officer and lodged his protest against army directive to residents to register.

The MP had reminded the order of the Supreme Court against the collection of details of residents of North and East.

The SLA officer is reported to have told Mr.Selvarajah that he would consider the matter with the Vellaveli army officer.

Tamil Net