8.7.2008

12 Tamil civilians including 7 males and 5 females from non-liberated areas, north of Puthukkudiyiruppu have sought protection with security forces at Pulmoddai this morning (Tuesday), July 08. According to the available information, 3 children and 3 youth are also among the civilians who have escaped the LTTE territory due to constant intimidations and harassments received by the terror outfit. These civilians have arrived on a boat and reached Pulmoddai around 9.30 a.m, sources said.

It is observed that this is the first time, a group of civilians have reached security forces controlled areas from north of Puthukkudiyiruppu, where the majority of hardcore LTTE supporters are living.

"We were living in our native lands facing huge difficulties and hardships under the LTTE. They (LTTE) have transformed the whole area into a war zone. People are forced to labour for long hours and families of those who refuse face grave repercussion by the outfit" an escapee was citied saying to our correspondent.

The recent military operations have pressurized the LTTE and they are hunting on our children to replace their numbers lost in the battles, he further added.

"We are the victims of Tsunami in 2004 but we didn't receive any assistance or aid as the LTTE looted those aid working as an intermediary", one of the escapees said.

"We were also prevented by the outfit from fleeing our native area as the LTTE using us as a human shield when attacking at the security forces marching towards deeper LTTE territory", the escapee further said.