12.7.2008

19 civilians belonging to 7 families, Saturday (July 12) sought protection with security forces at Pulmoddai, in a desperate escape made from the LTTE clutches at Mullaittivu.

The escapees: 5 males, 6 females and 8 children had arrived at Arasimalai in the coast of Pulmoddai via a locally built craft despite great danger posed from both the LTTE killer squads and rough seas, at 10.30a.m.

All the civilians were from Puthumathalan locality, North of Puthukkudiyiruppu who were said to have undergone continuous harassments and hardships by the LTTE. "They are continuing forcible conscription of both men and children to the outfit and child recruitment has increased over the recent weeks", an escapee was cited speaking to our Wanni correspondent. "Families who refuse to comply with their (LTTE) orders are attacked or frequented by armed squads of the outfit", he further said.

A forcible recruited male, who has later managed to flee from the outfit, was also among the escapees, our correspondent said. "What we hear in the non-liberated areas under LTTE is a looming humanitarian catastrophe. This may be even tragic than our speculations made, as the LTTE is been constantly driven back by the advancing security forces in the jungles of Mullaittivu", a defense analyst said.

Also, according to what these people say, they (LTTE) have now forced civilians to move towards the outer perimeters of LTTE defences, to be used as human shields delaying a probable military assault into its inner-core at Mullaittivu, he further asserted.

Meanwhile, the terrorists have also imposed fishing restrictions off the coasts of Challai and Mullaittivu, gravely affecting the local fishing communities, a civilian was cited saying. "They (LTTE) have banned us from fishing in the coastal waters, as learnt to be a measure taken by the organization(LTTE) to prevent more people from seeking security forces protection", he further said.