According to reports received, they had fled from Kilinochchi seeking protection of security forces amidst unprecedented suffering at the hands of LTTE. The civilians were reported to have been forced to labour for long hours at LTTE bunker construction sites, gun points and shrub lands along the perimeters of Kilinochchi, security officials said.

"We had no option other than to flee for our lives. There were continuous intimidations and death threats by the organisation. Every family was ordered to give away a young for the outfit (LTTE) and those who refused were forced to work in harsh conditions. We are been robbed from our basic needs and our children deprived of their right for a better future. The situation is deteriorating and we urge both the government and aid agencies to immediately redress grievances of thousands who are forcibly held by the LTTE in Kilinochchi", a terrified woman said explaining her experiences.

"We know that it is great danger with the rising swells at this time of the year but it is safer as we no longer have to live in fear. Many families who have made similar attempts and caught by the LTTE are said to be held in chambers and never heard off, a youth said.

The civilians were later brought to the Karainagar Naval base and will be directed to an IDP centre under the safe custody of Police, security sources said.

Earlier, on Tuesday(25) 15 Tamil civilians including 4 females sought protection with security forces at Erukkulampiddi and Pallemunai in Mannar claiming that they have been continuously receiving death threats by the LTTE.

According to sources, 9 civilians from Vidattaltivu have sought protecting with security forces at the Navy-Police joint fishing marshalling point at Pallemunai, 5.30a.m., while 6 others found to be originally from Kilinochchi managed to reach safe shores at Erukkulampiddi in the Mannar islet at around 6.30a.m.

The civilians were later directed to an IDP centre under the safe custody of the Mannar Police, security sources said.

Meanwhile, a startling revelation was made by an individual where it was reported that at least over a dozen LTTE bodies were cremated daily in Kilinochchi and Mullaittiuvu.

Courtesy - Sri Lanka Defence