Lest We Forget

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<strong>Lest</strong> we forget – Massacres of Tamils 1956 2002 attacked and killed people in their homes, or displaced people who returned to their homes to collect some items. In August 1996, the military launched “Sathjeya-02” military operation. This was followed by “Sathjeya-03” military operation. With this the military entered Kilinochchi town. Here they created a militarized zone occupying people’s homes and their farmlands. While camped here the military carried out numerous attacks on civilians in the surrounding areas. 184 civilians disappeared during this time. Most of them were killed. Later when people moved back to their homes, skeletons were recovered from toilet pits and wells. Based on information collected from many sources, 184 civilians were killed. 72 skeletons of those killed were recovered in Kilinochchi and its surroundings. 12 skeletons were identified by relatives based on the clothes and other items they were wearing when they were killed. The families of those killed are today living in extreme poverty in the villages of Akkarayan, Mallavi, Jeyapuram and Puthukkidiyiruppu. 96. Kumarapuram massacre 11.02.1996 Kumarapuram village is situated in the Assistant Government Agent Division of Mutur in the Trincomalee district. It is located between the villages of Kiliveddi and Parathipuram. The village is bounded in east by the Allaikulam water reservoir and in the west by a sport ground and a milk collection centre. A military camp is just 2 Kms from its north border. People from all the different ethnic communities lived here without any disharmony. After the 1995 military activities people in the village lived in fear. The massacre on 11.02.1996 happened during one of these military activities. On 11.02.1996 at 4.00 pm people heard firing noises. The frightened people ran into the large forest area near the Allaikulam and hid there. Some people stayed at home. In the home of Alagutharai, eight members of the family stayed at home. All eight of them were shot dead in their home by the military. In the inquiry on this massacre the village headman in his evidence said Rasenthiram Karunaharan was shot dead in front of him as the two were talking. Another man Nagarasa lost his eyesight as a result of the shooting. Arumaithurai Thanalaxmi, a 16 year old girl was taking her eight year old brother on her bicycle. When they heard the shooting she took her brother and hid in a nearby shop. The military dragged her out and took her to the milk collection centre and there she was gang raped by the military. One Sri Lankan soldier, Corporal Kumara, confessed to shooting her dead at the inquiry. When asked why he shot her Report by NESOHR, Information Collected by SNE 79
<strong>Lest</strong> we forget – Massacres of Tamils 1956 2002 he stated that she was badly injured with several bite marks made by the military men who gang raped her and that she was in such a bad state that he shot her. 26 people were killed in this massacre. 22 were seriously injured. Many of the injured who died without medical care were recorded as deaths by natural causes. 97. Nachchikuda strafing 16.03.1996 The Poonagari area of Kilinochchi district is a historically important area. This was a centre of ancient kingdoms and commerce. A fishing village in Poonagari is Nachchikuda. On 16.03.1996, early morning MI-24 helicopters belonging to the Sri Lankan military began strafing the Nachchikuda village settlement. People sleeping at home and fishermen at sea were hit by the shells. 16 people were killed. Hundreds of fishermen’s huts were burnt out. Following this attack the village displaced from Nachchikuda. 98. Thambirai market bombing 17.05.1996 Poonagari is situated in the Kilinochchi district 20 Kms from Kilinochchi town. This is a historic region. Thambirai is a small village in the Poonagari area. On 17.05.1996, at 10.00 am, Kfir bombers belonging to the Sri Lankan Air Force dropped bombs in the market area. People hearing the Kfirs had taken refuge under Palmarah estate nearby. Two bombs fell in the area. Five civilians were killed on the spot and two more died in the hospital. Seven civilians were badly injured. Francis Reetamma says, “I live in Thambirai. My husband who went to the market on that day was killed when Sri Lankan Air Force bombers dropped bombs on 17.05.1996 and shell pieces went into his chest and stomach. About 5 people died in this bombing. 8 or 9 people were injured.” Report by NESOHR, Information Collected by SNE 80
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Lest We Forget

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