LTTE torture chambers exposed in East

Dilip Ganguly

COLOMBO: Torture chambers used by the LTTE to punish escaping Tigers and informers, including women fighters, have been found at captured LTTE camps in the East, the Defence Ministry said.

The camps were uncovered by Police Special Task Force (STF) commandos who seized control of four major Tiger bases and seven smaller camps in the Ampara district, the Media Center for National Security (MCNS) said. "Torture chambers and lock-ups were established to torture escapees and informers including women cadres," the MCNS said. The torture cells were small and dingy.

Many surrendered LTTE child cadres have repeatedly revealed the harassment meted out to them by the LTTE if they are caught escaping. The camps continuing the torture chambers were captured during the STF's Niyathai Jaya, (Sure Victory) campaign which began on January 4.

The STF encountered landmines planted by the fleeing Tigers and four personnel were wounded. They recovered weapons, vehicles, boats and other military-type equipment from the bases. Military spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe said five LTTEers had accepted the Armed Forces call to surrender and urged others to turn themselves in.

The LTTE has conceded that Government Forces had taken camps and territory in Ampara. AP