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| Sunday, 3 November 2002 |
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Security |  |
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Kanchirankuda incident : STF was justified in firing - Probe team head by Ramani Kangaraarachchi The committee probing the Kanchirankuda incident on Oct. 9 has recommended the assistance of peace envoys and peace committees on a three- pronged basis to tackle similar situations in the interim period before the peace accord is signed." Then the hierarchy of the government and the LTTE can stifle minor incidents before they develop into major ones," head of the committee, Air Vice Marshal Harry Goonatilake told the Sunday Observer. He said , that some of the laws relating to riot drill and firing orders of the Police were not reviewed since 1955 and the committee has recommended the government to do so immediately to prevent similar calamities in the future. Asked whether the STF was justified in firing, he said that there was an imminent threat to the camp being overrun and the STF was justified in firing in defence of their lives and state property, since the damage sustained by the STF camp was extensive. The summer-hut just outside the camp was damaged, the gate at the entrance destroyed and the roofs of several buildings had also collapsed. These were evident from the video film taken by the SLMM members just 90 minutes after the incident. The rifle which was alleged to have been used in the firing by the LTTE and the four bodies of those killed were also shown in the video film. Asked whether the committee found any evidence of outside elements involved in the incident, he said that there was no such evidence, but the Tamil community in the area including a farmers' organisation and hunting community (Veddas) had made representations requesting the withdrawal of the STF camp from the region as they were all compelled to part with a portion of their produces to them or else they would be harassed and intimidated at check points. However, this claim could not be corroborated. But these recommendations would eliminate unhealthy practices at all check points in the Batticaloa and Ampara districts." The committee is due to hand over the report to the authorities on Wednesday. |
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