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Parents of teenagers subjected to LTTE conscription in the Batticaloa area have made a series of suicide attempts, defence sources said.

A 32-year-old mother from Punnichchai, Karagiyanaru attempted to commit suicide by taking poison after her teenaged son was abducted by terrorists on September 9, they said. She was admitted to the Eravur hospital the following morning and discharged on September 12 after treatment.

Kanaganayagam (50) a father of five children from Palukamam Second Ward has also made an attempt on his life after his 15-year-old son and a younger daughter were abducted by the LTTE on September 10. Kanaganayagam, a hospital attendant, was admitted to ward No. 22 of the Batticaloa hospital and discharged on September 19.

Sivanesan, a postal peon from Palukamam had also been admitted to the Kalavanchikudi hospital on September 13 after taking poison. His 16-year-old son has been abducted by the LTTE.

An Army patrol arrived at the Vipulananda Vidyalaya in Kaluvankerni in the nick of time, preventing the LTTE from abducting 40 students for conscription a few days ago. The Tigers had threatened the principal and staff who had defied the LTTE demand for 40 students.

Defence authorities in the East said around 2,000 families from the LTTE held areas in Batticaloa and Ampara had fled to the Security Forces held areas due to the recruitment drive launched by the LTTE.

Information on these families can be obtained from the STF camps in Chettipalayan, Kalavanchikudi, Uhandamadu and Kallar. A large number of families have also arrived at Chenkaladi, Batticaloa and Valachchenai but they have not yet been properly registered, Defence sources said.

Civilians arriving in Security Forces held areas have revealed that many civilians were deserting the LTTE held areas after the terrorists sealed their houses demanding the children they have sent to other areas to escape LTTE conscription. Tigers do not allow them to enter their homes or to leave the areas under their control, they had revealed.

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