Former parliamentarian and leader of the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO), Selvam Adaikalanathan has issued an ‘emergency letter’ to the defence secretary, Kamal Gunaratne urging him to consider the issue of increased military checkpoints in the North, which has caused “untold hardships to the general public.”
He complained about the “harassments caused to the public” by the increased number of military checkpoints in the North, stating there is “no reason at all” for the escalation in militarisation in Jaffna, in his letter, sent to Gunaratne on Tuesday.
“Six months ago, there has been freedom for movement everywhere, with fewer checkpoints in the Northern Province and the people felt an ease of mind,” he added. He underlined that now Jaffna has become “surrounded by checkpoints everywhere” and it is increasing daily.
He pointed out “farming & fishing community, traders, pilgrims, workers in various trades, night travellers etc.,” are being affected by the increased checkpoints and that there is a “general fear among the community.”
Adaikalanathan asked the defence secretary to instruct military authorities to “stop unnecessarily harassing people in the name of security.”
Read the full letter here.
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