Civilians in the east continue to be affected in the fighting between the security forces and the LTTE. Civilian Muniandy was killed during a clash at Kannankudah in Valaichenai on 6 July. Six year-old Asmini was wounded. Four days later, the Army shot dead carpenter Nathan of Paithalai. Four fishermen were killed on 12 July at Kinnayady.
The Special Task Force (STF) carried out a search in Pandiruppu on 6 July. The village was searched again a week later and five people were taken into custody. Four Tamil youths, including student T Sithamparapillai, who were arrested by the Army at Ambilanthurai were later found in the Badulla prison, 60 miles away. Batticaloa MP P Selvarajah says 14 year-old student V Karunakaran was killed in Airforce bombing on 1 August at Kokkaddicholai. Three other civilians at Karanavai were wounded by shells two days later.
Further south in Amparai District, the LTTE attacked a STF patrol at Pulukunawa on 7 July killing 13 policemen. Security sources say 20 Tigers were killed. In Trincomalee District, four soldiers died in a clash at Amarivayal on 9 July. Police say LTTE’s intelligence cadre Thambirajah Thiruchelvam, who planned to attack electricity installations was arrested in July.
On 6 July, the Army attacked students staging a fast in Trincomalee town in support of graduates who are demanding jobs. Three students were injured. Soldiers are also accused of threatening local political leaders. Tamil parties have demanded President Chandrika to hold an enquiry into the unprovoked attack.
The security forces carried out a search operation at Uvarmalai on 26 July. Thousands of people were ordered to assemble at Vivekananda College and paraded before Talayattis or masked informers. Those detained were later released. Two children were injured by shells in Muthur on 31 July. The LTTE shot dead police constable Muthubandara on 4 August at Salli.
Trincomalee town Regional Secretary Velum Mayilum says that all 1,203 refugees at the Glass Factory camp were sent to Jaffna by ship on 15 July. The refugees spent the last two months in the camp. Over 200 other passengers are awaiting in Trincomalee to travel to the peninsula. Rasalingam Saraswathy in Allesthottam refugee camp committed suicide on 19 July. Over 1,500 refugees, who were returned from Tamil Nadu in 1992 with UNHCR assistance remain in this camp.