LTTE abducts 16 children from Catholic Church run orphanage -
Dharmapuram
LTTE terrorists had abducted 16 children from a
Catholic Church run orphanage at Dahrmapuram in Kilinochchi on Friday
(Dec 26), the church sources revealed. The sources while condemning this
nefarious act of terrorism called the incident to be an ideal example of
the inhumanity of the terrorist outfit.
Meanwhile, a group of civilians who were terrorized by
the above incident have sought refuge with army on Saturday (Dec 27)
afternoon. The refugees while confirming the incident have said that the
abducted children had been taken to be trained as child soldiers and
suicide bombers. 38 civilians belonging to 9 families including 3
infants have arrived at one of the Army Task Force 1 outposts after a
risky journey across Kilaly lagoon. The refugees have told our special
correspondent in the area that they had their homes close to the said
orphanage and decided to escape into liberated areas for the love of
their children.
"They (LTTE cadres) beat up the two priests in charge
of the orphanage when they refused to give away the orphans" an eye
witness has told our correspondent.
According to the sources, the terrorists had stormed
the orphanage on the Boxing Day evening and demanded the two priest in
charge of the place to give away all children above 12 years of age.
"They (LTTE) tied up the two priests and blindfold
them before taking away the children at gunpoint" he has added.
A mother of two among the refugees who had also
witnessed the crime said that she could not bear up the scene when the
children had cried out for help.
"Those innocent children tried in vain to cling on to
the two priests. They pleaded the LTTE cadres to let them go. But they
were dragged like cattle taking to the slaughterhouse ...."
"I would never forgive myself for not helping those
children ... But I have to save my children first. That is why I left my
home "she has said showing her two young children.
Meanwhile, the church sources said that it was only
Saturday (Dec 27) morning that the two priests had been able to untie
themselves and reported the matter to church administration. The
orphanage was initially located at Kilinochchi but recently moved to
Dharmapuram due to increasing LTTE threats. It has been effectively
functioning with the lavish support of the church and other donors for
the last several years. The Church sources further said several more
previous attempts of this nature were resisted and thwarted by the
priests in charge. Church authorities are still on the look out for
these parentless children who grew up in the orphanage while attending
to their schooling.
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