Two Tamil journalists of the Yarl Thinakkural have been harassed by individuals claiming to be from the Terrorist investigation Division (TID) of the Sri Lankan security forces, reported TamilNet.

The chief editor of the paper, V Atputhananthan complained to the regional branch of the Sri Lankan Human Rights Commission in Jaffna, saying that Punitharuban Vinslow and Tharmabalan Vinojith were being inquired about by the individuals, who visited the office of the paper and the areas where the journalists live.

“The above two are working in this institution as Staff Reporters for the last five years, especially during the difficult days of war with sincerity and commitment,” Atputhananthan said in his complaint.

“During the last two weeks the individuals claiming to be from the TID have been visiting this office and trying to collect personal data relating to above named two journalists. In the absence of any official request and hence the inability to obtain any data, they are now engaged in collecting such information from the localities where they live,”

“It is appropriate to mention here in the background of what happened to many journalists in the past. We are afraid of these unofficial threatening visits without any official charges make them seen [sic] that their lives are in danger.”