Alvai temple shelling 29.05.1987
Alvai village is situated in Jaffna district. The Muthtumariamman temple in Alvai is one of the famous temples in Jaffna. On 29.05.1987, the Sri Lankan military launched its operation liberation attack on Jaffna. Attacks were carried out from the Palaly military camp, and from air and sea. Through pamphlets dropped from air and through the announcement in the military radio service from Palaly, people were asked to take refuge in temples. Some people had taken refuge in the Muthimariamman temple. The temple was filled with around 10,000 people from the villages of Alvai, Inparuddi, Thikkam, Vathiri, Nelliadi, Thampasiddi, Puloly and Karaveddi. Since the temple was big with broad corridors it was able to accommodate all the people.
On that fatal day the temple was overflowing with people. At 11.00pm a shell fired by the military fell on a tree in front of the temple. Some people sitting under the tree were injured. The next shell fell inside the temple many were killed including women and children. The following shells fell in another part of the temple killing two young men seated there. The three shells falling inside the temple causing deaths created panic among the people. 40 people died inside the temple and many were injured.
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