“Lived in constant fear of LTTE threat to our children,” say families who fled Tiger control [Wednesday, July 05, 2006- 11.40 GMT]

Nine families from LTTE occupied areas in the Eastern province this week fled to Government controlled areas leaving behind all their possessions, in a bid to escape the LTTE from forcing them including their children to take up military training.

“We were starving in our village; we had some decent food only after we came here. We have nothing, we left our boats, engines, nets and everything behind,” said one man.

A widow, a mother of four, detailed how her son the sole breadwinner of the family was forced to go into hiding in the jungle to avoid being conscripted by the LTTE. She too said she had left all her belongings behind and come to the Government controlled area for protection for her kids.

“We have peace of mind after coming to Mankeni. The Army officers are providing us with food, shelter and protection. Our children are vulnerable to conscription. We can’t go back. If we do they (LTTE) will shoot us,” she said.

Making a request to the Government to make arrangements for her children to continue studies in the government controlled area, she said it was the Government who could protect them.

The families, who left their homes in Panichchankemi un-cleared areas due to harassments from the LTTE, explained how they were in constant fear of the LTTE threat to forcibly enroll their children in the movement.

“We feared to leave our children alone. We came here to liberate ourselves from the LTTE. We will not go back. If we go there, they (LTTE) will kill us. We want the Government to protect us. The Army people are very kind to us”, said one distraught mother.

Army spokesperson Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe said the troops had provided the families currently at the Mankeni Roman Catholic School in Batticaloa, with food, medical aid and security. He said the Army had informed the Government Agent and the ICRC and that they would continue supporting them till a long term solution was found.

“They came to us for help and we supported them”, he said. The group consists of twelve girls and two boys accompanied by their parents.

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Last Updated Date: July 5, 2006 -11.40 GMT