The University of Jaffna’s Student Union in a statement on Friday condemned an extensive military search of the male students’ residence, which the Union describes as a breach of security that has created a tense atmosphere around the campus.
The Union also criticised the administration for remaining mute on the subject, including the fact that students were intimidated by military officials.
Their silence has caused students to question the administration’s ability and commitment to protecting its students. The Union further said in the statement:
“That the security forces – who have been repressing all our rights to freedom of expression under the excuse of terrorism – are entering and searching without any apparent reason has created fear among the students.”
The Union stated that despite the government’s claims of peace, terrorism laws continued to be used to terrorise the Tamil population. In the statement, the Union demanded that the security forces cease intimidating the student body and causing disruptions to the University’s academic life.
ESJaffna undergrads to launch protest
The Jaffna University Students Union has threatened to launch a protest against alleged intimidation by the security forces. A statement by the union released on Friday (25) said that the military had conducted a search operation inside the boys’ hostel of the University the previous day having forcibly entered the premises.
The statement further said that the students of all faculties of the Jaffna University would refrain from academic activities if such instances continued. When contacted, an official of the Jaffna University denied any knowledge of such an announcement by the students union and also said they were unaware of any search operations conducted in the boys’ hostel premises. When contacted, Military Spokesperson, Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya completely denied security forces had ever conducted such a operation. “It is a baseless allegation done for a fishy reason”, the Brigadier Wanigasooriya added.
Nation