MP Raviraj says people living in fear in Jaffna

Sri Lanka Defence Ministry has announced imposing curfew from midnight Sunday to Monday evening (SLT) and closing entry point in Muhamalai.

Jaffna district parliamentarian Nataraja Raviraj told BBC Sandeshaya that eight civilians attending a religious ceremony at a temple in Manthuvil village were missing overnight.

“People have heard gun shots and blood traces and bullets were found near the temple,” the legislator said.

MP Raviraj added that the local residents accused Sri Lanka military of abducting young men attending the religious ceremony.

Army denial

“There was no violence in the area during the recent weeks,” Raviraj told bbcsinhala.com.

He added however that the regional commander of the Sri Lanka Army denied any involvement in the incident.

Military spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe also categorically denied the accusations.

“Definitely the Army will not do a thing like that in a temple; rather the Army will never kill civilians,” he told BBC Tamil service.

But the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian said the people in the area are living in fear due to threats and continued abductions.