Protest in Jaffna against moves to acquire 1600 acres of land in North

University students and civil society outfits staged a collective protest in Thellipalai, Jaffna against moves to illegally acquire 1600 acres of private land in Valikaamam North, Jaffna by the government in the name of national security.

Students attached to University of Jaffna and Eastern university, civil society groups and religious leaders took part in the protest demanding authorities to return the lands which are under military custody to rightful owners without any further delay. 

Protesters also alleged that hundreds of war affected families are still languishing in temporary shelters and rented houses, while their private lands are still under the occupation by the military for farming and other purposes.

The protest came after a directive was issued by the Ministry of Tourism and Lands to provincial land department authorities to take necessary steps for the acquisition of 1600 acres of land in Valikaamam North. (Pix by N. Lohathayalan)