Thirty fire wood cutters had gone to Irathal Kidanga jungle area located 10km away from Pottuvil to cut fire wood on 17.08.2008. They had gone in groups in 26 bullock carts taking rice and vegetable with them.

Next day morning (18.08.2008) four of them had fled from the area on seeing the STF. The other 26 members of the group were caught by the STF and handed over to the Athimalai Police .

They were assaulted and put in remand prison the same day

Relatives of these persons heard this from the escapees.  At present these 4 persons are in hiding.

Next day the family members of those who were arrested had gone to the Athimalai Police station. But they had not been able to find the prisoners there. They were informed that they had been sent to the STF camp in Meeyangoda. They went to the camp, but were told that they had been sent for Medical check up.

According to family members after 2 days the STF had handed them over to the Athimalai police. The same day they were produced at Moneragala Court. They also reported that the remanded 26 persons were brought to court covered head to foot in black cloth.  On this day too family members could not meet them. But they saw them the next day at the remand prison at the Moneragala police station.

Family members said that they were only able to see their faces and communicate.

The persons concerned have said that they were assaulted by the STF and Sinhala villagers before being handed over to the police. Even in custody they had been beaten very badly.

More over family members stated that they were being videoed and also the food and other things they took with them were videoed at the prison.

One of them Aliyar Saleem (26) died while in remand on 18.09.2008 allegedly by being beaten to death by prison guards. Post mortem was held but medical report has not been released up to now.

Many complaints had been filed against these persons by the STF and Police.

Complaints:
•    Making path way to jungle
•    Making temporary huts in the jungle
•    Cutting timber
•    Having rice, vegetable and fish with them
•    Entering Thadangal jungle
•    Setting fire in the jungle
•    Supplying food to LTTE groups, by collecting food forcibly from neighbouring villages in Moneragala district.  
•    Shot civilian called Ariyapala and taken his shotgun
•    Suspects of murders that took place some time ago in Sinhala villages
•    Connection with shooting at Dammana police point, in which 2 police men and a home guard were killed (few months back).

The victim Mr. Saleem’s wife is observing Idda, (the obligatory 4 month 10 day secluded period for widows).  They have three children.

Dependents of others in prison are undergoing severe hardship. They have no income at all with their bread winners being arrested. They have request help from various authorities and relevant establishments to get them released.