Jaffna University students are protesting through Tellippaalai this morning demanding the return of land to villagers in Valikamam which is currently occupied by the Sri Lankan Army.
Protestors held placards that read: “Give back our lands, stop the encroachment on our Homeland, Vali North is our native land!”
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Although the Sri Lankan army continues to occupy large swathes of land across the North-East, landgrabs also persist under the guise of archaeological excavations and forest preservation.
During the armed conflict, land was appropriated by the Sri Lankan army for military purposes and have been retained for "security purposes". The military have held on to land they deem to be of symbolic or economic value.
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