22.11.2008

Breaking out the LTTE's iron grip that forcefully holds Tamil civilians in Wanni for decades, 41 civilians in two group have arrived at the Omanthai roadblock seeking protection with security forces this morning (Nov 22).

The first group comprising 25 males and 11 females arrived at the roadblock around 8.00 am. According to the sources, the group has 9 children below 18 years and 11 youths below 30 years of age. Further, the group has 9 adults including 3 females below 50 years of age and 7 more adults over 50 years, including 3 females.

The second group of civilians comprising 4 males and one female of three families arrived at the roadblock around 12.30 pm. Two of them are over 55 years of age while other are youths of age 30s.

Civilians of the both groups are residents of the Semamadhu and Nainamadu areas in Vavuniya district and they stated that they had been forcibly engaged in military duties. "even the adults over 50 years of age had also been forcefully engaged in military fatigue" one of the youths said.

The civilians have been provided with food and medicine by the officials and all the measures have already been taken to direct them to the welfare centers, military sources said.