LTTE 'executes' 14 civilians

By V. S. Sambandan

COLOMBO, JAN. 24. The LTTE has reportedly ``executed'' 14 civilians in eastern Sri Lanka branding them ``informers'', even as a key Tiger rebel was taken into custody by the security forces.

A State-TV report tonight said the ``death sentence'' was carried out on Sunday on civilians who were under custody in Kokkadichcholai.

A Tamil political leader, confirming the report, said it was ironic that the Tigers who had executed 14 civilians were campaigning against the hanging of the four sentenced to death in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

Closer to the capital at Negombo, north of Colombo, a key LTTE member, Gnanapragasam, was arrested by the security forces as he was trying to flee the island, the report said. Gnanapragasam had led the operation which overran the eastern Mullaitivu camp a few years ago.

The condition of the LTTE police `chief', Nadesan, was reported to be serious after injuries in a recent attack. Media reports said Nadesan's legs had been amputated. But there was no word from the Tigers on any of these incidents.

The Defence Ministry said 28 Tigers were killed in encounters in the North East since Saturday. Fighting was reported from Ariyalai, Ketpeli, Tanankilappu, Uduthura, Chavakacheri, Mulliyan and Muhavil in the northern Jaffna Peninsula. One soldier was killed in the eastern Batticaloa district.

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Section  : International
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