TamilNet: LTTE Press Release 10/19/97 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. 19. October 1997 LTTE PRESS RELEASE NEWS FROM TAMIL EELAM TAMIL WOMAN WASHED ASHORE WITH BREASTS CUT OFF A female body with extensive cuts has washed onto the shores of Jaffna's Kudarappu (Nakarkovil, Vadamaradchy East). Both of the Tamil woman's breasts were found to have been completely cut off with knives. The attack is believed to have been carried out by Sinhalese military personnel occupying the peninsula. The woman's body could not be identified and was cremated by local Tamils at their own expense. GUARDIAN ASSOCIATION SAYS "DISAPPEARED" MAY BE DUMPED IN WELLS In their search for the missing 750 Tamils of occupied Jaffna, the Guardian Association for Persons Arrested and Disappeared has requested the ineffective Sri LankanHuman Rights Task Force that they should undertake a comprehensive scheme of draining the many disused wells of Jaffna. Many bodies of headless and decomposed Tamils have shown up in such wells in recent times and the Guardian Association thinks many more mutilated bodies of the disappeared may be found there. The HRTF has replied that they are empowered only with "recording" functions, saying they cannot therefore authorise the draining of wells. 12,000 INNOCENT TAMILS HELD FOR A YEAR IN DETENTION CENTRES 12,000 Tamil detainees (4,000 families) have been held in 14 Sinhalese military camps in Vavuniya since September 1996. Each Tamil family, irrespective of size, is confined to an area of 10 sq. feet. Dry rations are given once a fortnight and very limited time is given for people to temporarily leave the camps. Due to lack of any other income the detainees face severe financial hardships and they also suffer from many physical illnesses, particularly respiratory ailments. At regular intervals, Sinhalese police and army personnel break into these camps to carry out search operations. Young Tamil men and women are frequently taken away for interrogation. They are displayed before masked men whose sinister nods can mean the difference between life and death for those arrested. There have been no investigations made by anyone to determine why these innocent people have been confined to these camps for a whole year. TAMILS FLEE AMPARAI AHEAD OF MASSACRE FEARS Following the recent Sinhalese police massacre of Tamils in Amparai's 4th Colony, the flight of Tamil civilians from other Amparai villages is in full swing. As no action has been taken by the government against the Sinhalese police and homeguards, Tamils fear that fresh attacks are brewing. Members of the Sinhalese Buddhist clergy are also known to be making inflammatory remarks against Tamils from the pulpit, which has heightened Tamil fears. 52 TAMIL YOUTH CONFINED TO KANKESANTHURAI 52 Tamil youths of both sexes taken into Sinhalese army custody during periodic round-ups in Jaffna are now being held in specially erected prison camps in Kankesanthurai. They have not been found guilty of any offence but the armed forces are refusing to release them. TAMIL AREAS SUBJECTED TO MASSIVE CORDON AND SEARCH OPERATIONS The occupied Tamil areas of Puloly, Alvai, Karaveddy and Udupiddy were recently subjected to a day-long cordon and search operation carried out by Sinhalese armed personnel. The forces raided Tamil homes under the pretext of searching for hidden arms. They ransacked houses, assaulted residents and marched them to open fields for interrogation. TROOPS AMBUSH 5 TAMIL CIVILIANS Five Tamil civilians who went to recover belongings from their former homes in Sonthakarankulam Koyilkulam (Killinochi district) were fired on by Sinhalese troops lying concealed in bushes. 60 year old Nakamuthu was hurt in the gunfire and is missing. The other four managed to escape leaving behind their bicycles. On Tuesday, another two Tamil civilians who went to Uruthirapuram on a bullock cart to recover belongings have gone missing. Selvam and Kunchurasa are feared abducted by the occupying army. Over 90 Tamil civilians revisiting their homes have been killed in this area by Sinhalese forces, in the most brutal manner. TAMILS REHABILITATION ORGANISATION (TRO) HELPS POOR SCHOOL CHILDREN The TRO has given assistance to poor school children in the areas of Arumugathan Kulam, Semmalai, Alampil and Kumulamunai (all in Manal Aru). Children were provided with essential school items on the 1st of this month. WOMEN'S WEEK For ten days beginning on the 18th of this month, the Tamil Eelam Women's Federation is to hold "Women's Week" in Vanni. Its aim is to harness women's support and resources for the national liberation struggle. SECOND WEEK OF SUCCESSFUL TAMIL STREET PLAY The Tamil people of Vanni are enjoying the performance of a street play - Thayin Aanai - with a potent message. In the play, a symbolic Tamil Eelam mother makes a solemn oath that the Tamil people's homeland will become free of the invading Sinhalese armed forces. She urges her sons and daughters to rise up and help make Tamil Eelam safe. 10 FISHERMEN ARRESTED Ten Jaffna fishermen from Gurunagar who went to Punkudutivu to catch edible sea cucumber (Beche-de-mer) were intercepted by the occupying Sinhalese navy and charged with overstepping the fishing limits set for them and venturing "too far" into the sea. The navy took the ten to court where the accused pleaded that Punkudutivu is their traditional fishing grounds. The magistrate ruled that the military rules now in force overrides tradition. TAMIL YOUTH KILLED A Tamil youth, Manoharan Sayanthan, from Chunnakam (Jaffna district) died on 26 September in random fire carried out by occupying Sinhalese troops. He was returning from work when the Chunnakam-based military opened fire. 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-10.21.97-00:24:51-4006