With more civilians erager to move out of LTTE held areas. the LTTE is attempting to trigger a civilian crisis in Wanni. LTTE terrorists have reportedly drawn artillery batteries, heavy mortars and satellite bases inside civilian settlements and makeshift camps which were earlier declared as no-fire zones, military said citing civilian and ground sources.Yesterday (29), the government along with the UN and ICRC facilitated transportation of more than 300 civilians including 165 patients who were forcibly held by LTTE as part of its human shield. 40 children were also among the group that had arrived at Omanthai, news sources reported. Meanwhile, the terrorists also released the UN aid workers who were detained by the outfit since 16 January, due to increasing local and international pressure. Two expatriates and 13 other local staff of the United Nations were held captive by LTTE at Puthukkuyirippu, a remaining terrorist fortification.
The LTTE is using the thousands entrapped as cannon fodder in its attempt to stall the multi-frontal military advance, now closing in on its remaining locations Northeast of Visuamadu, Puthukudiyirippu and Mullaittivu, defence observers state. Faced with an inevitable defeat by the security forces. LTTE terrorists have resorted to crude and violent tactics which has resulted in an outburst of civilian agitation against the outfit recently.
On 20th January, around 75,000 people lined up to enter the liberated areas at Kilinochchi were surrounded and beaten by an LTTE led mob. At least 10 people were killed when LTTE terrorists opened indiscriminate fire at the civilians, escapees from the tragic site revealed, speaking to security force officials at Kilinochchi. One of them, a medical student was tortured and exhibited around the populated areas and to make others learn the fate of attempted escapees from the area. A few managed to escape while the rest were dragged towards LTTE torture camps believed to be located at Visuamadu and Puthukudiryirippu. According to informed sources, the civilian exodus is mostly triggered from areas at Teravilkulam, Northeast of Visuamadu and North of Puthukudiyirippu.
LTTE terrorists have already located its artillery batteries, heavy mortar guns and rear operating positions inside the declaredNo-Fire Zones, defence sources said, citing both civilian and technical sources. Many people have fearlessly opposed the LTTE tactic and some have even confronted the terrorists, at times even blocking the movement of heavy gun carriers and trailers into the villages. In the face of a humiliating defeat LTTE terrorists are planning a major civilian tragedy at Wanni, defence observers stated, adding that the probability of “mass suicide” or execution of the civilians by the banned terrorist outfit also cannot be ruled out.
The LTTE’s attempt to provoke security forces into retaliatory fire towards the No Fire zone has proven a failure as troops showed extreme concern for its Zero Civilian Casualty (ZCC) policy. Terrorists are continuing to take shelter among the people entrapped in the conflict zone with utmost contempt for the safety of civilians, defence observers state. With LTTE being deprived of territory and now surrounded, the outfit is resorting to brutal tactics, deserving unreserved condemnation, the official further said.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Government continues to make effective initiatives for the implementation of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in the conflict areas. The government also took measures to facilitate evacuation of stranded civilians in LTTE held areas, especially the sick and wounded. Though foreign news agencies and tribal media stooges of the ‘Sri Lankan victim industry’ make repetitive attempts to exaggerate the civilian numbers in the No Fire Zone as being over a quarter million, defence observers citing ground sources and reliable information assert that the true figure may fluctuate around 75000 - 100,000 people on a high estimate.
We are no enemies, we have never been...
This war is not against innocent people.
This war is against the Terrorism that makes innocent people suffer and destroy the
peace in a tiny beautiful country.
Let’s bring the peace into these innocent people
www.defence.lk
peace in a tiny beautiful country.
Let’s bring the peace into these innocent people
www.defence.lk
