TID arrests Jaffna Mayor on terrorism charges for forming controversial ‘security unit’

Terrorism Investigation Department (TID) police arrested Jaffna Mayor V. Manivannan early hours of today on charges of promoting ideologies of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) over setting up of a 'security unit' under the council.

He was arrested under provisions of Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) after TID obtained an eight-hour long statement from him yesterday over the new unit he authorised to ensure a clean city. He was taken to the TID office in Vavuniya for further questioning.

Following the controversy over the dress code of the new security unit similar to LTTE's police force, Mayor Manivanna clarified there were no hidden agendas as such and the new unit was formed similar to one formed in Colombo Municipal Council (CMC).

Earlier the Jaffna Municipal Council appointed five persons to a security unit to control throwing garbage in public places and streets and take action against those who litter and spit in the Municipal Council area.

However, controversy arose over similarities between the uniform which was introduced by the Municipal Council and the uniform worn by the LTTE's 'Police' in areas they held during the war.