Colombo, Sri Lanka: The reports of the arrest of nine Tamil undergraduates of the Moratuwa University by the Galkissa police and their remand raises the serious question of the security of the Tamil youths in Colombo for studies. Their arrest merely on a complaint by neighbours is indicative of the harassment and humiliation that the Tamils could envisage in future following the new security measures chalked out by the authorities.

While it is unavoidable that security measures have to be tightened in a situation where there are threats to law and order, yet such steps should not affect the innocent civilians and violate human rights. It does not appear that the government shows any concern for the rights and security of the Tamil people.

If a person has to be taken into custody for questioning on suspicion, then there has to be a reasonable ground for suspicion. The arrests in Colombo and other district seem to suggest that being a Tamil is ground for suspicion that entails arrests. The arrest of Tamil undergraduates of the Moratuwa University and the subsequent remand is but one example. Although a large number of Tamils had been arrested and kept in custody for weeks and months without bringing them to trial, nobody is concerned about their plight.

The undertaking given in the past regarding procedures to be adopted during an arrest are not followed. These can only lead to unlawful arrests and disappearances of people. Even the special procedures laid down for the arrest of women are violated.

Although the security forces are briefed of observing codes of conduct and humanitarianism in the discharge of their duties, these procedures are not followed when it comes to the question of the party being a Tamil.

It is a cannon of judiciary that ten culprits might escape but not one innocent be punished. As far as Tamils are concerned, this axiom is observed more on the violence than obeisance!

An English translation of the Editorial of Thinakkural, a Tamil National daily, based in Colombo

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