Tigers strike Paranthan
OVER 2,000 Tigers stormed Paranthan at dawn on 9 January smashing through defences built up after the town was captured by the Army in July last year. The two-pronged assault, preceded by suicide bomb attacks briefly cut off Army-occupied Kilinochchi, four miles south and a simultaneous LTTE offensive on Elephant Pass camp in the north prevented Army reinforcements. The main thrust of the attack came from Tiger-held Mullaitivu in the east and Pooneryn area in the west taken over by the LTTE after the Army withdrew in October 1996.
Over 230 soldiers died in the human-wave offensive and 400 were wounded. The government put Tiger deaths at 500. Other reports say 170 Tigers were killed and another 300 injured. According to the military, 18 tanks and nine long-range artillery guns were destroyed to prevent them falling into Tiger hands. The Tigers say three 120mm guns are among substantial quantities of arms they have captured.
Political observers believe that despite setbacks the LTTE retains its strength and the government may be forced to increase its defence budget allocation of $1 million for 1997. Diplomatic sources say the Paranthan attack illustrates the difficulties of opening a land route between Vavuniya and Jaffna.
Four military personnel were killed in a LTTE attack at Katurupotana in Vavuniya District on 7 January. On the same day the Tigers killed eight soldiers and wounded 15 others at Thanthirimalai. Airforce planes bombed Visvamadu on 9 January. Three refugees were killed and ten others injured. Several buildings were damaged.
Army defence positions in Cheddikulam were attacked at dawn on 12 January killing five soldiers and injuring ten. The Defence Ministry says four Tiger spies were shot dead in Kilinochchi south on 18 January. On 30 January civilians K Rajakumar and K Vallimayil were blown to pieces by Airforce bombs at Udayarkaddu. Sarojadevi was seriously injured.
The continued fighting has badly affected education in the Vanni. The North-East Education Secretary says over 30,000 refugee students have not attended school since arrival from Jaffna in December 1995. Vanni Government Agents complain that students have not received school uniforms and books.
Students are unable to concentrate on education without adequate food, reports say. The Kilinochchi GA says many are malnourished and it is not uncommon for students to faint while attending school.
Displacement of large numbers of youths from Jaffna and the lack of educational facilities have boosted the LTTE recruitment drive. Human rights agencies accuse the Tigers of recruiting children and using them in frontline battles. Reports say that in January the LTTE imposed a ban on anyone below the age of 45 leaving the Vanni.
Next article.
Back to Sri Lanka Monitor Index page.
Back to The refugee Council Welcome page.