Civilians in hundreds throng cleared areas

Dhaneshi YATAWARA in Chundikulam

The number of innocent unarmed civilians reaching the cleared areas is on the increase despite intervention from the LTTE.

Within the last eight days 842 people from 193 families comprising 248 children, 284 women and 310 men reached Vettalakerni, Kaddaikadu, north of Chundikulam towards Iyakachchi general area.

Under the command of Jaffna security forces Commander, Major General Mendaka Samarasinghe, Army personnel deployed in these areas are making arrangements for the provision of basic facilities to these escapees.

January 15 reported the highest number of people who had managed to escape-238 people towards the coastal line.

On January 11, LTTE fired artillery rounds towards a group of civilians when a woman and a man were injured. On January 14, 151 people were reported to have reached cleared areas seeking refuge-under the protection of the Army.

The 8th and the 6th battalions of the field engineers clearing mine fields spotted a large number of AP mines. The LTTE have laid AP mines, anti-tank mines and deadly trappings on every possible path especially the narrow sandy areas that connect the water ways of the lagoon.