Civilians as human shields

There are about six thousand people of 1600 families living in the Periamadhu area of Mannar. They are the natives of Adampan and Madhu villages, which are parts of Mannar mainland and are uncleared areas. They are being compelled to live there as refugees by the LTTE, as their attempts to slip into the state controlled areas failed.

The LTTE is using them as shields and launch shell attacks on the forces. These people are being destined to face the retaliation by the military.

The LTTE make use of people for two purposes. One - for recruitment purposes, two – to make them victims during retaliatory attacks. The LTTE is not at all concerned about people, other than for the above purposes.

Totally a number of around 23,000 people are thus prevented from moving out of the uncleared areas, the sources said.