LTTE clamps on civilian outflow: Mounts artillery batteries inside
No-fire zones - Mullaittivu
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LTTE artillery gun positions with
respective calibers, plotted through accurate information
received from technical and intelligence sources: LTTE
terrorists have positioned its artillery batteries in the
government declared 'No Fire Zone'. |
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
declared No-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. |
