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Security Forces who regained the sacred Madhu Church on 24 April
without firing a single shot, asserted that they have no
intention to deploy Armed troops to provide security for the
Church premises.
"Our only intention is to hand over the Church to the relevant
Church authority ensuring the security of the Church by
deploying our troops out of the sacred area," Lt. Colonel
Senerath Bandara, Brigade Commander of the 372 Brigade told the
Daily News.
He made these comments to the Daily News after we visited the
Madhu shrine area, hours after troops attached to the 572
Brigade took control of the Church premises without any
confrontation.
"We reached our objective without firing a single bullet within
the Church premises," Lt. Colonel Bandara added.
The Sacred Madhu Church remained intact except for minor damage
caused to the roof of the main Church and the adjoining
auditorium by fleeing Tigers.
Troops have been given strict instructions to keep the sanctity
of the place after carrying out a search within the Church
premises.
"Our next objective is to carry out a proper de-mining programme
to clear all anti-personnel mines and booby traps the LTTE," Lt.
Colonel Bandara added.
He said the Security Forces' Headquarters will immediately
contact the Church authorities to safely hand over the Church to
them. Lt. Colonel Bandara said it was after a time consuming
effort that they were able to capture the Church from the LTTE's
clutches.
"It was after the last batch of Tiger cadres left the Church
premises that troops entered the Church on Thursday around 1.00
p.m," Lt. Col. Bandara added.
Troops observed Tiger movements within the last three days prior
to entering the Church. Tiger cadres have shifted furniture
within the Church.
When troops entered the church compound they found no Tiger
movement," Military Spokesman Brigadier Nanayakkara told the
Daily News. Facing heavy defeats on the Wanni front the LTTE
fled the areas surrounding Madhu.
Brigadier Nanayakkara charged that fleeing LTTE cadres caused
damage to the Mahdu Shrine and to another compound connecting to
the church.
"Troops consolidating their positions inside the Church after
evacuation of the LTTE cadres found a roof sheet of the main
hall of the Madhu church and another building of the church wing
damaged by the LTTE. The Tiger cadres also damaged windows and
doors of the Church," he added.
The LTTE set up bunkers all around the Church. "Several bunkers
were erected as close as 500 m to the premises and almost all
bunkers were interconnected through trenches," Brigadier
Nanayakkara said.
The Security Forces also engaged in removing booby traps and
landmines placed by the fleeing Tiger cadres in the area
surrounding the Madhu Shrine.
Brigadier Nanayakkara said the Bishops should negotiate and
decide to bring back the Sacred Statue of Our Lady of Madhu for
public veneration. "If they seek any assistance from the
Security Forces, we are ready to cooperate fully". |