TamilNet: LTTE Press release 10/1/97 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. 30.September1997 LTTE PRESS RELEASE NEWS FROM TAMIL EELAM 50 GOVERNMENT SOLDIERS KILLED IN MASSIVE LTTE COUNTER-ATTACK More than 50 Sinhalese government troops were killed in a 4-hour counter-attack launched by LTTE forces at 9:45 AM yesterday. Sinhalese occupying forces advanced from their former positions towards Kanakarayankulam (north of Puliyankulam). LTTE forces cut across and beat back the advancing columns causing tremendous losses in men and arms to the occupying army. The LTTE recovered the bodies of 13 dead soldiers. The number of injured Sinhalese soldiers is exceedingly high. Most of the arms and ammunition used by the occupying forces was captured. VANNI DENIED CHLORINE The Sinhalese government has blocked much-needed Chlorine from Vanni since 1995. As a result, drinking water here has become germ-ridden and crops have been ruined by pests. The government's denial of proper food, medicines and essential supplies to Vanni's Tamil civilians is part of its military strategy to try and weaken the LTTE. BATTICALOA ARMY TIGHTENS RESTRICTIONS ON TAMIL CIVILIANS Tamil farmers in Batticaloa must obtain prior written permission from the occupying Sinhalese army before they can plough or sow their rice fields. Such a permit is required even to visit the field. Severe punishment, the army says, will be meted out to those failing to comply with the army order. Batticaloa is the traditional granary of the island. The army is under instructions to make Tamils dependent upon the Sinhalese state for their food and subsistence. BURNT BODY IN AMPARAI NOT IDENTIFIABLE The charred body of a young Tamil man is lying unclaimed in Amparai's 4th colony - where Sinhalese police went on the rampage last week - because no one can identify him. One Mr. Suntharalingam (22) is known to be missing but relatives are unsure whether the body in question belongs to him. 67 Tamil homes were torched by Sinhalese police who ran amok in the town killing Tamil civilians. 1700 Tamils (347 families) of 4th colony fled the town in panic. They are currently putting up in Senai Kudiyiruppu school. LTTE RADIO TIME EXTENDED The popular LTTE radio is coming up to its seventh year of operation. Its broadcasts of news, views, music and cultural items has won a warm place in the hearts of Tamil Eelam's people. Known as the Voice of Tigers, it carries extensive coverage of the national freedom struggle and pays tribute to fallen heroes. Presently it broadcasts twice a day - once in the morning and once in the evening - on the FM channel. As of this week, the nightly programme will be extended by 15 minutes, transmitting from 8 PM to 9:15 PM. 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-10.04.97-14:16:20-28538