The intelligence operatives of the occupying Sri Lankan military in Mannaar have been visiting the houses of candidates of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) taking part in the provincial elections and ‘registering’ the personal data, their affiliations and details of the family members in an intimidating way, the candidates taking part in the Northern Provincial Council elections say. Some of the ‘visits’ have taken place during the nights.
Two different teams of intelligence operatives have been collecting details, one claiming that they were from ‘State Intelligence Service’ and the other team claiming as the intelligence division of the SL military in Mannaar.
The visiting intelligence squads have been asking the TNA candidates where they studied in the past and their employment history.
The details of family members and their whereabouts have also been registered by the visiting intelligence squads.
A similar round of ‘intelligence harassment’ was reported before the nominations were filed to intimidate possible candidates from coming forward to participate in the elections. A former government agent of Mannaar, two lawyers, a doctor, a councillor and a village officer were intimidated this way before the nominations.
Now, the second round of harassment targets those who have been officially nominated by the TNA.
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