De-mining under way - civilians to be resettled in Jaffna HSZ

Govt to help in reconstruction:

By Ananth PALAKIDNAR

[email protected]

The de-mining process is currently in progress in the areas that have been identified to re-settle civilians within the High Security Zone (HSZ) in the Valikamam north region in the Jaffna Peninsula, said a spokesperson for the special committee dealing with the grievances of residents who were evacuated from the High Security Zone in 1987.

The High Security Zone in Valikamam north is the largest and highly sensitive region covering vital military installations such as the Palaly army base, air field and naval bases in the Kankesanthurai and Myliddy areas.

The Valikamam north High Security Zone came into existence following the military operations which were intensified by Security Forces against the LTTE in 1987. The High Security Zone is in Valikamam.

However, following two fundamental rights applications that were filed in 2003 and 2004 in the Supreme Court, a five-member special committee was set up on the directive of Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva on June 23, 2008 under the chairmanship of High Court Judge, Jaffna, R. T. Vicknarajah.

The committee comprising the Government Agent, Jaffna K. Ganesh, Jaffna Security Forces Commander Major General G. A. Chandrasri, Rear Admiral T. S. G. Samarasinghe and the Deputy Inspector General of Police W. F. U. Fernando have decided to send a report on the re-settlement process to the Supreme Court at its third meeting on Friday.

The special committee which held three meetings so far had received 3,419 applications from civilians to be re-settled in the High Security Zone area and the applications are being scrutinised by the Government Agent, Jaffna.

Six hundred families have been already resettled in the border areas of the High Security Zone. Twenty-four families will be resettled within the High Security Zone following the removal of mines by the army engineers in the areas that have been allowed for re-settlement.

The spokesperson for the special committee headed by the Jaffna High Court Judge said that the military was very cooperative in expediting the resettlement process and the committee was looking forward to complete its task as early as possible.

The spokesperson also added that the government would provide compensation to civilians to undertake reconstruction work depending on the damage to their buildings and lands.

Donor countries have also agreed to help the government on the re-settlement process, the spokesperson said.