LTTE mobilises civilians for war in Wanni

Extracts blood, builds trenches and provides training

by Our Defence Correspondent

Civilians in the grip of the LTTE in the Wanni area have started fleeing to the Mannar Island following the LTTE's rigid preparations for confrontations with the Security Forces, Naval spokesperson Commander D.K.P. Dassanayake said.

According to Commander Dassanayake the civilians who fled into the Government controlled Mannar Island last week said, that the LTTE has put the areas they hold on a war footing and are forcing the innocent civilians to fill sand bags, build bunkers and trenches apart from carrying out conscription of youngsters.

Commander Dassanayake told the Sunday Observer, that the civilians were fleeing into the Mannar Island via Vidaththalthivu and Pallimunai. 'The Navy and Police personnel who man the checkpoints in those areas are providing protection for the fleeing civilians. Even on Friday around ten civilians entered the Mannar Island from the Wanni. They said that with great difficulty they managed to escape from the uncleared areas,' Dassanayake added.

He also said that according to the escapees from the uncleared areas the civilians from LTTE held areas were forcibly taken to build bunkers and fill sand bags in preparation for clashes with the Security Forces. "In some places the LTTE cadres are even forcibly collecting blood from the civilians irrespective of their gender and age differences. The schools are not functioning regularly as the students have been forced to join the organisation to receive training in war-related activities", Dassanayake said.

Meanwhile, reports from Jaffna said that around three-hundred students attached to the University of Jaffna from the LTTE held Wanni area have been prevented from getting back to the Jaffna University and made to undergo training in handling weapons.

Informed sources also said that the LTTE has used civilians to plant mines in the areas which were cleared of mines a few years ago following the signing of the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) in 2002.