A group of 28 Tamil civilians including 6 children who had escaped the LTTE held areas, sought protection with security forces in Jaffna last morning, 4 November.
The naval patrol craft which detected two boats in northern seas immediately rushed to their assistance and accompanied them ashore under naval protection.
According to the sources, 22 adults including 13 males and 9 females and 6 children are among the escapees and they are residents of Mullaian, Kaddaikadu, Paranthan, Kilinochchi and Champianpaththu areas.
The escapees said that the innocent Tamil civilians living in non-liberated areas in the North have to undergo severe hardships as a result of LTTE activities, including extortion and conscription of youngsters. Though the majority of civilians are willing to flee from the LTTE grip, many have to end up their journey in LTTE prisons. After being imprisoned, these civilians are being forcibly used to construct bunkers in the Forward Defences.