Civilians flee Vakarai

Over 1,100 civilians had moved from uncleared area to Batticaloa last week. Of them 700 civilians were Madhu pilgrims that had been forcibly held by the LTTE, a spokesmen for the media Centre for National Security told the Sunday Observer.

These civilians had been forcibly held by the LTTE at Maduram Kulam, Vakkari and Pawacheni. They had finally escaped from the LTTE grip and sought refuge at Redi Tanna in Valachchenai.

The government forces have provided them shelter at Pechan camp in Valachchenai, he said. According to them over 1,500 people are awaiting in the uncleared areas to move into government controlled areas but the LTTE has threatened them by opening fire in the air not to move, he added.