TamilNet LTTE Report 10/31/97 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. 31 October 1997 LTTE PRESS RELEASE NEWS FROM TAMIL EELAM SRI LANKAN ARMY LANDMINES CONTINUE TO CLAIM CIVILIANS An average one foot per day is lost in Jaffna due to Sri Lankan army landmines, but two weeks ago three Tamil civilians fell victim in one day: Thambiratnam Sasireka (female, 26) who was walking past the Kondavil army camp, Selvan Arulanantharasa of Puttur who was cleaning his outer compound, and Chelliah Arulanantharasa of Alaveddy who was on his way to the Narasimma temple. SEVEN CIVILIANS ARRESTED IN NEDUNKERNI Seven Tamil civilians earlier displaced from Thanduvan (Nedunkerni) who returned to their former homes to recover household belongings were arrested by occupying Sinhalese troops who lay hiding in wait. The whereabouts of the missing seven are still not known. The missing are: K. Kulendiran (26), K. Kamalasothy (19), K. Arichandiran (26), K. Sriranasuntharam (35), M. Palasingam (40), S. Sritharan (37) and S. Sivagnanam (34). 100 PATIENTS A DAY TREATED AT MANNAR HOSPITAL Adampan hospital in Mannar district takes more than 100 patients a day in the outpatients department. In September 1997, a total 2,085 patients were treated, of which 300 had malaria, 535 dysentery, 450 respiratory disease, 400 rashes and itches and 400 minor wounds. There is a big shortfall in the number of hospital staff, including nurses, because the Sri Lankan government blocks funds and deliberately deprives these hospitals of adequate facilities, medicines and personnel. The hospital is located next to a Sri Lankan army camp and so is subject to regular artillery bombardments. CORDON AND SEARCH IN BATTICALOA Puliyantivu town early on Sunday morning was subjected to a harsh army round-up and search operation. The Tamil residents were put through the usual ordeal by Sinhalese security forces. Houses were broken into, household goods confiscated or thrown away, and people taken to open fields for interrogation. A number of civilians were taken away for "further interrogation" and have not been seen since Sunday. POSTAL STAMPS SCARCE Kilinochchi's post office, now functioning in Akkarayan, has no postal stamps or other accessories for sale. The government has stopped new supplies reaching the Tamil town. The public has been greatly inconvenienced by the action. 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-10.31.97-21:38:23-14840