The civilian population, both in Army-held and Tiger-controlled areas are under tremendous pressure as attacks and retaliation continue in the east. A Ranjithapoosanam, 54, was injured by a shell on 6 March in Valaichenai. Vimaladevi and Arunthavam of Kannankudah were seriously wounded by a shell two days later. Another shell fired from the Kinnaiyady Army camp killed a mother and daughter at Murukantivu, north of Kiran on 9 March.
S Jeevaratnam was shot and injured by the Army while fishing in the lagoon at Peithalai on 30 March. Following a LTTE landmine attack in Eravur on 1 April in which a police officer died, Army shells killed Pathmanathan Sanjeevan, 4, and Thambapillai Jeyadevi.
Batticaloa MP P Joseph says a widow and her sister were raped by soldiers at Mylambaveli, four miles north of Batticaloa town. The four soldiers were not identified in an identification parade on 26 March, and have been allowed bail by a magistrate.
The Army is forcibly using local students and teachers to prevent LTTE infiltration into Batticaloa town. A teacher and two students each from five prominent schools must be present at the Koddaimunai bridge linking the northern and southern parts of the town, between 7.30am and 8.15am to identify fellow teachers and students. Parents and teachers say the procedure may endanger the lives of students and teachers.
Following the LTTE destruction of the Valaiyiravu bridge on 6 March, 24 schools in the Vavunativu area remain closed as many teachers and students are unable to attend. People in Vavunativu area who earn their living by selling milk, firewood and vegetables in Batticaloa town are unable to carry on their trade. Supply of dry rations to displaced people has also been affected.
After the LTTE Vavunativu attack the Army has denied permission for farmers to harvest their Maha rice crop west of the lagoon and the Valaiyiravu bridge remains closed. Observers say food shortages in the area may become worse.
Army-imposed restriction of food and medicines to LTTE-controlled Vaharai area further north continues. Reports say the LTTE has strengthened its own administration in Vaharai and Paduvankarai. All activities are Tiger-controlled and taxes have been imposed.
The Army says LTTE’s former Batticaloa political leader Babu and a local commander were killed in an ambush at Vavunativu on 7 March. Further south in Yala Wildlife Sanctuary a tourist jeep was hijacked on 4 March by suspected Tigers. Reports say a Sinhalese spy working for the LTTE was arrested in the jungle two days later.