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Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka: Tigers lay mines to stop civilians fleeing Vakarai - ex Tiger cadre

The LTTE has planted thousands of Anti Personnel mines in and around Vakarai to block civilians leaving the area; a surrendered LTTE cadre (name withheld fearing reprisals) revealed to the security forces. According to the LTTE cadre, around 11000 mines had been planted by the LTTE in Pannichchankerni, Ichchalanpattu, Kaddamuruvikulam, Pattiadi and Kirimichchi areas.

"We laid mines in Kaddamuruvikulam area also to stop civilians moving out from the area. I didn't lay them; it was done by some others" the ex-tiger cadre revealed.

"The Pattiadi area is also laid with mines because civilians are moving from that area to the government controlled area" the surrendered cadre pointed out with the help of a map.

According to the ex-LTTE cadre, 2500 anti personnel mines are planted on the Panichchankerni first defence line while another 1300 anti personnel mines are laid along the second line. There are another 1300 anti personnel mines in Ichchalanpaththu area. The Kirimichchi area is also heavily mined, the surrendered cadre revealed.

Analysts say the tigers would have resorted to planting mines as the exodus of people to government controlled areas was unfavourable to them. Having civilians in tiger controlled areas is advantageous for them as they could direct artillery and mortar fire towards security forces detachments using civilians as a human shield. Earlier this month, the security forces came under heavy criticism from both local and international media, non governmental organizations and rights groups for the tragic loss of life and injuries to civilians in Kadiraweli, north of Vakarai. According to the ICRC, 23 civilians died while another 125 got injured in the exchange of artillery and mortar attacks between the Security Forces and the LTTE in the Vakarai area.

Secondly, the LTTE would like to see a section of the Tamil population starve to death so that they could launch an exaggerated campaign internationally saying that people, especially, ethnic minority Tamils are dying of hunger in Sri Lanka. Their desired result would be UN intervention, embargos against Sri Lanka and the alienation of the Sri Lankan State. In the case of such a scenario, their so called 'liberation struggle' would be further justified in the eyes of the International community.

Thirdly, the tigers, who are restricted to a few areas in the East, can only survive amongst civilians as there is a blockade of reinforcements both by land and sea. Increased naval patrols in the Eastern seas have effectively blocked access to reinforcements. Food, medical supplies and fuel will only flow into tiger control areas as long as there are civilians. They can't engage in extortions, forced recruitment and cadre movement if they are isolated from civilians. Therefore the presence of civilians is a crucial factor not only for their attacks on the security forces but also for their very survival.

Yesterday (21) civilians in Batticaloa and Mankerni protested against the LTTE for forcibly retaining some 30,000 people in uncleared areas. They urged the LTTE to release them immediately. Civilians and tiger deserters who managed to escape from LTTE controlled areas accused them of using civilians as a human shield. They revealed how the LTTE is planning for a massive offensive in the East. Civilians had been forced to dig trenches and to move logistics.

However, since 1st of November, 2352 people have entered government controlled areas from tiger held Vakarai. They have found safety and protection in the cleared areas. These people with the help of the security forces are provided with basic needs such as food, shelter, medical supplies and sanitary facilities. Security forces are taking all possible measures to ensure the safety of civilians.

The fate of around 30,000 people forcibly detained in Vakarai is in the hands of the LTTE.