[ad#200×200] LTTE terrorists continued worsening suffering of the thousands of civilians entrapped in the outskirts of Mullaittivu, ignoring the 48 hour ultimatum served for the safe passage of civilians by the Sri Lankan government.
The terrorists ignored the ultimatum with contempt which was declared to ensure safe evacuation of an estimated 1.2 lakh people forcibly held by the LTTE as human shields. “LTTE terrorists violating the objective of the safe area, moved heavy artillery batteries and mortar guns over civilians endangering their safety also attempting to draw civilian casualties in a military retaliation”, defence observers state.
According to available information, terrorists are manning a forward defence line in the outer perimeters of the Safe Zone, which is also said to be cluttered with land mines clamping any civilian attempt to reach the liberated areas under the security forces.
“The people have been constantly intimidated by the outfit of severe reprisal for attempting to flee from the LTTE torture zones”, a military official at Vavuniya said citing a group of escapees who had arrived at Omanthai on Friday (20). “Faced with an inevitable defeat the terrorist outfit has resorted to the crude tactic of using civilians to prolong the multi-frontal military surge into its remaining jungle hideout, now stretched across a mere 250sq.km area” defence observers further stated.
Despite, LTTE’s contempt on the safe passage of civilians the Sri Lankan government on Saturday (31) announced that it would continue to adhere to the zero civilian casualty (ZCC) policy while engaging in its all out effort to eradicate the terrorists.
Ministry of Defence