Since January more than 61,421 civilians including women, children and the elderly have fled from the LTTE's grip and sought protection with security forces, military sources said.

Despite the LTTE’s artillery shelling and mortar attacks from the government declared No Fire Zone (NFZ), 1648 civilians crossed over to the Government controlled area yesterday (30).This group of civilians comprised 309men, 630 women, 357 male children, 352 female children, military sources added.

There is every likelihood of increasing numbers of civilians coming to the government held areas, defence sources said.