LTTE-Tamil Press Release 9/17/97 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. 17. September 1997 LTTE PRESS RELEASE NEWS FROM TAMIL EELAM TRINCOMALEE FISHERMEN FACE STARVATION Due to Sinhala military assaults, most of Trincomalee's Tamil fishermen - who made up one third of the area - are now in refugee camps both here and in South India. More than 2000 Trincomalee fishermen are in Tamil Nadu. The ones in Sri Lankan detention camps are subject to severe restrictions and to government regulations which ban them from engaging in fishing. The Sri Lankan government has meanwhile brought in Sinhalese fishermen to take over the land that the Tamil fishermen used to live on. These Sinhalese colonists enjoy the patronage and protection of the Sinhalese army and navy. All forms of relief to the Tamil fisherman have now been stopped by the Chandrika government, which has also halted humanitarian aid supplied by NGOs. The fishermen face starvation as a result. SCHOOL REOPENED AFTER SIX YEARS The Pooneryn Maha Vidyalam (school) had remained closed during the period when the town was under Sinhalese occupation. But since the army withdrew, it has been possible to reopen the school. On September 12, the school was once again reopened to the area's Tamil students. Kilinochchi's director of education, P. Ariaratnam ceremonially declared the school open and P. Thangarasa, chairman of the Pooneryn development society lit the traditional oil lamp. Students, members of the public and educationalists were also present. PARENTS OF NEW LTTE RECRUIT EXPRESS SENTIMENTS The parents of a new LTTE recruit have spoken during a moving induction ceremony for many new recruits held in Puthukudiyiruppu (Mullaitivu). Huge crowds were present at the occasion. The parents of one - reflecting the sentiments of all present - said they were proud of their son who was going to help free the Tamil people from Sinhalese invasion. The time has arrived, said the young man's father, "for the Tamil people to rid our land of the foreign invader who is bent on destroying us and our land." He said he felt a deep love for his son, but that he was proud of his son's decision to defend the Tamil homeland. ARMY SHELLING IN VALAICHCHENAI KILLS OLDEST LIVING RESIDENT Indiscriminate Sinhalese army shelling of Valaichchenai (in the island's east) has maimed a number of civilians and killed the oldest living resident of the area. All-night shellfire by Sinhalese troops based in Valaichchenai last week (9th September) struck dead 72 year old Pakkiam Peter. Six others - Chitra (47), Nagarajah (47), Jeyaladchumy (39), Jeyarani (25), Krishnaveni (32) and Ellilramany (12) were critically injured. TAMIL MAN WHO BROUGHT CHARGES AGAINST POLICEMAN IS CHARGED A reserve Sinhalese policeman attached to the Hatton-Panwila police station was charged with having robbed a radio receiver belonging to one Ledchuman, a Tamil from the same district. The Sinhalese magistrate inquiring into the case set the accused free and charged the complainant with the offence of wearing a T-shirt similar to that worn by members of the Sinhala armed forces. Ledchuman was ordered to be remanded. 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-09.21.97-01:41:46-1412