Date:18/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/18/stories/2008071855441700.htm

International

Indian held by LTTE rescued

B. Muralidhar Reddy

COLOMBO: The Sri Lankan Navy on Thursday claimed to have “rescued’ an Indian, who was under LTTE detention for the last five and a half years, while he was fleeing to India on a boat. An official of the Indian mission said details were being verified.

The Navy said the Indian (28) had come to Sri Lanka in 2003 with three other Indians on valid visas and travelled to Kilinochchi to visit relatives. However, they were reportedly arrested by the Tigers.

The Navy said the rescued Indian was tortured and put to hard labour. He was recently assigned to work in a garage in Wanni.