The Sri Lankan Army has taken over public land in Pudhukudiyiruppu over the site of the public market, the Northern Provincial Council member Dr S. Sivamohan was cited in the Tamil Mirror as saying.
"The army is making financial profit, by setting up their shops in a land that is used by the public for trade," Dr Sivamohan said.
He further explained: "Our people, with no marketing platform to market their agricultural products, are subject to difficulties. I severely condemn these activities which will result in even more harm to civilian activities."
"This affects the livelihoods of our people very badly, who suffered by the war, have only been resettled in their lands recently and are gradually getting involved in farming activities in an attempt to improve themselves financially."
The Pudhukudiyiruppu regional secretary and Mullaitivu district government officer, who are designated to handle such affairs and recover land in order for public use, have been criticised by the public as being ineffectual, Tamil Mirror noted.
"We are trying to prepare for what we can do via 'Mullaitivu District Land ownership salvation' to evict the army from Pudhukudiyiruppu and transfer the [acquired] land to the public," Dr Sivamohan said.
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