LTTE/TamilNet Press Release 9/18/97 Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit ----------------------------------------------------------------- Following Press Release is sent for distribution through TamilNet , by the LTTE international secretariat, 211 Katherine Road, London E6 1BU, United Kingdom, Tel/fax: 0181-470 8593. ----------------------------------------------------------------- LTTE Headquarters, Tamil Eelam. 18.September1997 LTTE PRESS RELEASE NEWS FROM TAMIL EELAM THILEEPAN COMMEMORATIONS ENTER FOURTH DAY Today is the fourth day marking the selfless sacrifice of LTTE fighter Lt. Col. Thileepan who fasted until death for the aspirations of the Tamil people during the occupation of Tamil Eelam by the IPKF. Thileepan died on 26 September 1987. The people of Vanni are wholeheartedly participating in the commemorative events. In Mallavi, Thunukkai, Pandiayankulam, Vavunikulam and Mankulam people have dedicated themselves to offering Shramadana - that is, free physical labour in the service of the wider community, such as sweeping schools and hospital premises. Tomorrow's programme in Kilinochchi north-east (under the direction of the local development society) will include cleaning the Kunchukulam Tamil mixed school. Leading Vanni-based NGOs will actively participate in this project. DISAPPEARANCES RISE IN AMPARAI The island's eastern Amparai district has experienced a further rise in the number of disappearances of Tamil civilians at the hands of the occupying Sinhalese military. Victims of torture and death in custody are also mounting, causing concern to human rights groups. Of particular note are headless corpses of Tamils which are showing up frequently on roadsides. These bodies belong to people who were arrested by the Sinhalese military of Central Camp. Meanwhile, two bodies of Tamil youth were fished out of a disused well last week. They had been persons arrested by the army some time back. Hundreds of Tamil families here are starting to move out of the area to escape the army's increasing brutality. TAMIL VILLAGES ROUNDED UP FOR SEARCH OPERATION A cordon and search operation conducted by Sinhalese police and the army in Batticaloa's municipal limits brought life to a standstill two days ago. The areas of Thimilanthivu, Valiayiravu and Puthunagar were worst affected, with the Valiayiravu bridge closed to traffic throughout the proceedings. All Tamil men, women and children of the area were marched to the Puthunagar Krishnan temple premises and interrogated for three full hours. TEEDOR REPAIRS VENAVIL WATER TANK TEEDOR in conjunction with the LTTE administration have installed in Maruthamadu (Mullaitivu) 4 sluice slates (4ft x 5.5ft) at the cost of 75,000 rupees to repair the Venavil water tank. The project has contributed greatly to farming activities in the area, with 354 acres of cultivable land (belonging to 121 farmers) are now getting an adequate water supply. ARMY CAMP KEEPS TAMILS ON TENTERHOOKS Tamil villages situated around the Sinhala army camp at Uyilankulam (Mannar) face sporadic artillery barrages at short intervals, making life insecure and hazardous for the people. Without any provocation, Sinhalese troops are firing shells with the intention of killing and maiming Tamil civilians. This has been continuing in this area for the past few weeks. Most of the people being targeted are already displaced. They are stuck not knowing where to go next. STF DEMANDS ROOFING MATERIALS FROM TAMIL PUBLIC Sri Lanka's Sinhalese STF forces occupying the Tamil town of Kurumanveli in Batticaloa district have demanded roofing materials, fences, posts and timber from ordinary Tamil residents. The residents have little choice in the matter since the murderous STF are situated in a camp in the main thoroughfare. They have a long history of torture, rape and extra-judicial killings in the region. =46ISHERMAN DROWNS TRYING TO ESCAPE NAVY A Tamil fisherman who jumped into the sea to avoid being shot at by the invading Sinhala navy has drowned. Pannerchelvam (36) of Udayarkaddu (Mullaitivu) was father of six children. Political Committee, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (English translation of the LTTE statement released by LTTE International Secretariat, 211 Katherine Road, London E6 1BU, United Kingdom. Tel:0181- 503 4294) ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytas-09.21.97-02:13:42-6354