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Massive pre-dawn swoop to net ‘strangers’
By Dilmini Samaranayake
Some 920 people were detained in a massive house-to-house security sweep code-named 'Operation Strangers Night III,' on Saturday in an attempt to flush out Tamil Tiger rebels from Colombo, police said.

Some 2,400 policemen, supported by 2,000 soldiers, sailors and Air Force personnel conducted the pre-dawn cordon and search operation in 15 police divisions in Colombo, said DIG Pujith Jayasundere.

"The operation was aimed at preventing future LTTE attacks and to ensure the security of Colombo," he said. The operation took place amid a surge in attacks in the north and east that killed more than 75 people this month and fears that the violence will spill over to Colombo.

The operation began at 4.30 a.m. and by 6.00 a.m. the forces had the entire area cordoned off, he said. The operation lasted until 11.20 a.m.
Residents were not allowed to step outside their homes and no one was allowed in while the operation was in force.

Streets subjected to the search were blocked at either end by armed security personnel, while others patrolled the street. Then, uniformed policemen entered homes and checked identifications of the occupants. If there were suspicions or occupants couldn't explain their presence, they were taken into custody.

Students who stepped out of their homes to attend morning tuition classes were seen standing stock-still on the streets clutching their books until the operation was concluded, according to curious residents who clung to their balconies to witness the unfolding events.

Those arrested included 815 males and 105 females and they were questioned at 8 police station in Colombo. Some who were detained were from the north and east who couldn't explain their presence in the capital.

DIG Jayasundere said the operation was also aimed at tracking down underworld criminals. Questioning, finger printing, photos and video footage were taken of those detained by intelligence units.

"The police told us it was very important that we stay in," said Ruvini Algama, a resident of Wellawatte. She said her father who is a doctor was also delayed to work due to the unexpected operation.

"There was little inconvenience, but it is our duty to cooperate, especially under the present circumstances," she said. The newspaper man had delivered the morning’s newspapers past 11 a.m. on Saturday in Wellawatte, as he was turned away at least thrice, she said.

Many who stepped out to get their New Year shopping completed early were either stopped in their tracks or turned away. At the end of Saturday, 53 people remained in custody, while the rest had been released on bail. DIG Jayasundere said unless further suspicions persisted, the rest will be released on Sunday.

Strangers Night I and II were concluded in Wellawatte and Maradana earlier this month.

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