The civilians, 8 males and 4 females also included 3 children, a boy and 2 girls sources further said. They have managed to brave the coastal waters off Vedittalthivu, before been rescued by security forces at the joint Navy- Police fishing marshalling point at Pallaimunai, Mannar.

The children were between the ages of 8 to 17, while the elders were between 35- 50 years of age, security sources said. "They (LTTE) keep continuously coming to our houses, especially in the night and threatening to give away our children for the organisation. Our livelihoods are also greatly affected as we seldom go fishing, fearing our children been abducted by the LTTE during our absence. Everyday was like hell, as we had to stop our children from schooling and living under constant fear. Their agents are all over the place, and once a child is abducted parents who go inquiring and pledging the release of them are been beaten away or never heard off," a father was quoted as saying with our Mannar defence correspondent.

The people will be provided with the basic needs and sent for the IDP camps, where their welfare and education for the children will be looked upon by the government and other aid organisations, our sources further said.