Jaffna calm after curfew

by Ranil Wijayapala

JAFFNA: Tension eased in Jaffna yesterday evening as the curfew, imposed in the entire Jaffna peninsula as a precautionary measure to prevent an outbreak of violence over the missing youth in Chavakachcheri, was lifted at 4 pm.

Jaffna DIG Ambanwela told the Daily News that no major incidents were reported in the peninsula during the period in which the curfew was clamped.

"We are conducting investigations on the complaints about the missing youth in Chavakachcheri", Ambanwela said.

"Except for complaints from the relatives of the missing youth that they had not returned to their homes after visiting a Temple in Chavakachcheri we haven't received any information about their whereabouts, he added. Meanwhile, Military Spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe told the Daily News that instructions were sent out to open all the entry exit points including the Omanthai and Muhamalai yesterday after the curfew was lifted.

He said except for a minor incident in which one soldier was injured in a grenade attack in Valachchenai no clashes was reported in the North East yesterday morning.

The civilian sources in Jaffna told the Daily News people began to move into the streets of Jaffna after the curfew was lifted yesterday at 4 pm.

"The boutiques and shops remained closed even after the curfew was lifted. We expect they will soon be opened", a civilian in Jaffna town told the Daily News.