Only 58% of landmines in Jaffna cleared

Only 58% of landmines in Jaffna cleared


By Kelum Bandara

Some 58 per cent of the de-mining operations in the Jaffna district have been completed and this has also resulted in a sharp reduction in civilian causalities from landmine explosions, the military said yesterday.

They said only one civilian casualty from a landmine explosion had been reported last year and no such cases have been reported so far this year.

According to statistics 69 cases were reported in 2002; 50 in 2003; 19 in 2004; 18 in 2005 and nine in 2006.

The Army Engineering Unit and two international NGOs -- Halo Trust and the Danish De-mining Group are engaged in de mining operations in the district which was liberated from the LTTE in 1996.

Meanwhile, the government said yesterday it would start de-mining operations in the recently captured areas soon starting from the Mannar district and a top government official said assistance was sought from three international organizations to carry out this programme.

“De mining operations will begin once the military releases particular areas to be cleared of mines. We will first clear mines planted in farm lands and in areas occupied by civilians,” the official said.