More people cross over

Rafik JALALDEEN

Nearly 1,000 civilians arrived in Tharmapuram and Visuamadu after fleeing from the LTTE during the past 48 hours in a sign of an acceleration of the exodus of civilains from Mullaitivu seeking protection under the Armed Forces.

Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said over 700 civilians fleeing from the

LTTE controlled areas sought protection with troops of the 58 division consolidating their positions in Tharmapuram and Visuamadu. He said arrival of civilians from the clutches of the LTTE had increased considerably. Over 264 civilians had reached Tharmapuram and Visuamadu on Wednesday.

“There were children, elderly people and women among the 700 civilians who arrived from Mullaitivu” .

“Civilians taking a risk crossed the uncleared area and reached the safety zone”, he added.

He said civilians who arrived from the uncleared areas were put through a severe ordeal by the LTTE .Many of them were suffering from dehydration.

”We expect many more stranded civilians to arrive in the safety zone seeking the Security Forces’ protection. Troops had taken measures to provide the influx with food, dry ration, medicine and other essentials.

“The LTTE cadres losing their battle against the Security Forces in the North and the Wanni were using civilians as a human shield to prevent troops advancing into the last domain of the Tigers in Mullaitivu.

It is believed that the LTTE are holding over 118,000 civilians captivity in Mullaitivu. Many IDPs who arrived from the LTTE clutches, recounted their ordeal in the uncleared areas. They told the Security Forces that the Tigers are forcing and dragging civilians regardless of age or gender to man their defence lines.

There are many thousands of civilians waiting for the opportunity to escape from the clutches of the LTTE.