At seminars in the east in September, the LTTE declared that recruitment has been intensified in order to capture Batticaloa town. The Tigers said in leaflets issued in the district in mid-September that attacks were imminent and advised the people to move away from Sri Lankan military camps. Reports also say that the elite Jeyanthan Brigade led by Karuna, has arrived in the east from the Vanni. Some observers believe that LTTE’s preparations in the east are diversionary tactics and the real target is the Jaffna peninsula.
In early September, the LTTE imposed a ban on crossing Valaiyiravu bridge and Manmunaithurai, denying access to Tiger-controlled areas west of the Batticaloa lagoon. The people were forced to travel through Ambilanthurai, Chenkalady, Karuthapalam and Paddiruppu bridge at huge expense and great difficulty.
Following the LTTE threat, the security force launched counter measures. Cordon and search operations were intensified and a number of arrests were made. The Army issued orders totally banning fishing in rivers and the lagoon in the Kalkudah area, north of Batticaloa town, between 6pm and 6am, from 24 September. Fishermen have been ordered to register with the Army and obtain a certificate of proof. The Army say fishermen contravening these orders will be arrested, their boats confiscated and a permanent ban on fishing imposed.
Police say the LTTE abducted four Muslim businessmen from Eravur for ransom on 18 September. Mohamed Lafeer and Mohamed Siyam were released ten days later. Batticaloa MP Ali Sahir Moulana says eight Muslim civilians abducted by the Tigers have not been released. According to him, vehicles and hundreds of farm animal belonging to Muslims have been taken away.
Three policemen were seriously wounded by a letter bomb at the Kalmunai police station on 26 September. Following the attack, two post office workers were arrested, but were released later.
In Trincomalee District, the ICRC office in Muthur was temporarily closed after a bomb attack on 6 September. The ICRC assured that medical services to LTTE-controlled areas will continue despite the attack.