Chaos and carnage as SLA enters 'safety zone'

[TamilNet, Monday, 20 April 2009, 06:19 GMT]
Several hundreds of civilians are feared killed and injured and total chaos prevails among civilians as Sri Lanka Army (SLA) advanced into the so-called 'safety zone' in Pokka'nai Monday morning 11:00 a.m., according to latest reports from Vanni. Heavy fighting was reported along the bunds of the lagoon and patients in the Puthumaaththa'lan makeshift hospital were forced to run away as Rocket Propelled Grenades launched by the SLA hit the hospital. A few medical staff remaining in the hospital are hiding in bunkers. People were seen running in panic as dead and injured were seen lying scattered everywhere, eyewitnesses told TamilNet.

Full fire-power is being deployed by the SLA in the battle on Monday that began at 2:00 a.m. Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) fire, shelling, RPG fire and gunfire have hit several places causing heavy civilian casualties.

Meanwhile, reports from Colombo said that around 5,000 civilians fell into the hands of the SLA.

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