EPDP which is fighting the LTTE on the side of the government, accuses the Navy of ramming their boat with a naval vessel. In early November northern naval commander Rear Admiral Chandrasiri ordered an enquiry following an EPDP complaint that sailors attacked fishermen on Eluvaitivu Island, west of Kayts. The clash could not have come at a worse time when the government was about to announce local elections and the LTTE was stepping-up its attacks in the peninsula.
University student K Kanageswaran and K Baheerathan were arrested after a grenade attack on the Army on 5 November at Kodikamam. Five days later Savunthari Navaratnarajah was injured in crossfire in a clash at Valvettithurai.
Thambu Sinnapillai, 65, was killed in crossfire at Varani in Kodikamam on 10 November. Chelliah Kulasekaram was shot dead by unidentified gunmen at Unavil in Chavakachcheri four days later. S Pathmaseelan was killed at Pandatharippu on the same day. Observers say the Tigers carried out over 16 attacks in the Jaffna peninsula in November. The Army in turn conducted search operations in Vadamaratchy, Thenmaratchy and the Jaffna islands. A number of people were arrested and paraded before masked informers.
Over 20,000 people in 50 refugee camps are yet to be resettled and areas in the north and north-west remain no-go zones. EPDP MP S Sivathasan says only 60% of the basic needs of the Jaffna people is currently provided. Other reports say the Army has restricted food into Vadamaratchy, north-east of the peninsula to deny the LTTE. Observers say such measures may increasingly drive the people into the arms of the Tigers.