3 youths seek safety with Jaffna Rights Body

Three youths, from Kodikamam, Columbuthurai and Manipay, were accompanied by officials of the Jaffna Human Rights Commission (HRC) to safer areas Tuesday and Wednesday from their hiding places, after they called for help to the HRC office fearing danger to their lives. The officials are making arrangements for the three youths to be produced at Jaffna courts through Jaffna police, HRC sources said.

The youths went underground fearing death at the hands of Sri Lanka Army (SLA), after their names were called out during the cordon off and search conducted by the SLA in their respective areas earlier.

The number of persons seeking safety with the HRC Jaffna office to escape being killed by the Sri Lanka armed forces and their collaborating paramilitary members has been rising again, civil sources in Jaffna said.

Since August 2006, through the HRC, more than 65 youths have been placed in the protective custody of Jaffna prison on the orders of Jaffna district courts.