TamilNet LTTE Press Release 10/16/97 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. 16. October 1997 LTTE PRESS RELEASE NEWS FROM TAMIL EELAM ANOTHER TAMIL WOMAN IS RAPED AND MURDERED BY SINHALESE POLICE A 49-year old Tamil woman, Thankanayaki, has been raped and murdered in Amparai by Sinhalese police and homeguards. In an exclusive interview to the press, her son said the Sinhalese security forces butchered her private parts after gang-raping her. Such instances of rape and brutality by Sinhalese forces occupying the island's eastern Tamil province are not uncommon. It will be recalled that a Tamil mother of four, Koneswary, was gang-raped raped and killed by Sinhalese police on 18 May. After that rape, police inserted a grenade into her genitals and blew her up. TELO CAMP ATTACKED, 5 TELO MEMBERS KILLED LTTE forces in Batticaloa attacked a TELO camp situated 200 metres from a Sinhalese army camp between the towns of Ariyanpathy and Kathankudi. 5 TELO members were killed and the rest fled the scene. Their two-story building was captured and completely destroyed by LTTE forces, who did not incur any casualties. TELO are a Tamil mercenary group in the pay of the Sinhalese military. 19,608 PATIENTS TREATED AT MULLIATIVU HOSPITAL LAST MONTH While the major hospital in LTTE administered Mullaitivu is stopped from obtaining medical supplies by a government blockade of Vanni, the hospital continues to offer worthwhile services to its people. In September, 19,608 patients were treated. In a day, an average 654 patients attend the hospital. Of this figure, 42 on average are admitted to wards for treatment. 125 babies were delivered at this hospital in September, while 120 surgical classes were also attended. There has been a steep rise in the percentage of babies dying immediately after childbirth. This is a direct result of malnutrition among pregnant mothers in Vanni, an area to which the government restricts proper food. 21,350 TREATED IN AKKARAYAN HOSPITAL A record number of 21,350 patients were treated in Akkarayan hospital (Tamil Vanni) in September. 2,066 of these patients were treated for malaria, 781 patients were warded, 77 babies were born (30 died in the same month). The high incidence of disease is caused by the food and medical blockade of Vanni by the Sinhalese government. With the rainy season now started, the influx of patients is set to rise. PUTHUKUDIYIRUPPU TAKES IN NEW RECRUITS A large batch of new recruits from Puthukudiyiruppu joined the LTTE during the last 48 hours. They said they were compelled by the urgency of the times, where the Sinhalese aggressor is at our doorsteps. TWO SINHALESE SOLDIERS KILLED Patrolling Sinhalese soldiers were attacked by LTTE forces on October 12 in occupied Nochchimoddai (on the main highway, south of Puliyankulam). Two soldiers were killed and many others badly injured. Rifles and bullets were captured by the LTTE, who did not incur any casualties. 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-10.17.97-04:04:25-22374