Sri Lankan Tamil Rebels Continue Forcible Conscription of Youths

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, January 31, 2002

Sri Lankan Tamil Rebels Continue Forcible Conscription of Youths

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Despite growing hopes for the Norwegian-brokered peace process in Sri Lanka, separatist Tamil Tiger rebels are continuing to forcibly conscript youths in the north and east of the country, The Island newspaper reported on Thursday.

The villagers in the area are fleeing through animal infested jungles to Batticaloa town, about 300 kilometers east of capital Colombo, in order to avoid their children taken by force. Houses of these villagers have been taken over and sealed by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels.

In Batticaloa town armed LTTE rebels are reportedly roaming freely and some of them have been extorting money from residents and businessmen. Those who refuse to pay are abducted and ransom demanded from their families.

They also boldly walk into schools and demand that the senior students join them. The rebels have also spread word that they will be opening offices in Batticaloa town and will soon be in charge of the administration in the area.

Armed forces and police personnel have been instructed to avoid all confrontations with the rebels and they are unable to act on complaints of harassment against the rebels by the people.

The defense ministry said on Wednesday that LTTE rebels tried to collect funds from shopkeepers in Pawakkulam area in the north and forced fishermen in the area of Kudremalai Point north of Colombo to pay ransom on Monday.

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