Exodus of Tamil Families from Nachchikudah on the Increase

(January, 14, Trincomalee, Sri Lanka Guardian) A Tamil family of five persons from Nachchikudah sought the protection of the Government Security Forces at the Pallimunai Fishing Marshalling Point, jointly manned by the Police and the Sri Lanka Navy, today (14th January 2007) around 7.00 a.m.

They had fled Nachchikudah in a “wallam” (locally made craft) fitted with an 8 Horse Power Out Board Motor (OBM) around 9.00 p.m. last night. The family arrived in Pallimunai this morning around 7.00 a.m. after a 10-hour arduous escapade by sneaking through the terror net laid by the LTTE to keep back the civilians who risk their lives for their safety in the cleared areas by defying the dictates of the terror outfit.

During the preliminary investigation, the family had revealed that they fled Nachchikudah due to their inability to make a living amidst the harassment, abduction and forcible recruitment perpetrated by the LTTE in the un-cleared areas.

The family consists of three adults (two males and one female) and two boys who were aged 6 and 15. They were directed to the Pallimunai Police post for further action.

The exodus of Tamil families from Nachchikudah is now on the increase. Three Tamil families consisting of twelve persons fled Nachchikudah yesterday paying money to the wallam owner in an attempt to escape the atrocities committed by the LTTE.