The road leading from Eravur to Batticaloa is deserted. While it is almost sunset, the only life on the streets is that of STF personnel standing guard every few metres and armed Karuna cadres standing outside TMVP offices.
Doors and windows of houses are firmly locked as civilians fear to step out in the dark. Sounds of gun shots continue to echo in Batticaloa throughout the night and although there is no curfew imposed, Batticaloa resembles a ghost town at night.
Although three months ago the government in its 'Rising of the East' celebration rejoiced the liberation of the east, civilians in Batticaloa are yet to experience 'freedom.'
The sound of shells and gun shots continue to echo in the north and south of Batticaloa during the day and night, forcing civilians to leave their homes in search of safer areas.
Increased fear, restricted movement
A fresh wave of fighting between forces loyal to Karuna and Pillayan has increased fear and restricted movement in many areas in Batticaloa, making only the Batticaloa town safe for civilian movement. Civilians residing in the town are forbidden by the STF to leave the area due to continuous confrontations by the Karuna and Pillayan forces.
"We cannot give a security guarantee to anyone leaving Batticaloa town. We do not allow anyone to proceed to other areas. The only way you can go is if there is special clearance from the Defence Ministry after which we will detail two STF personnel to accompany you. Many areas are under threat due to clashes between the Pillayan and Karuna forces," STF personnel on the ground in Batticaloa told The Sunday Leader.
Explaining we were from the media and wanted to travel into Batticaloa north, the STF personnel added that the area was unsafe. Refugees seeking shelter in these areas are also yet to be resettled due to the regular confrontations.
"There are many refugees seeking shelter in Batticaloa north and south. But we are unable to assist them right now due to the confrontations. We cannot risk moving the civilians during an attack. Many areas in Batticaloa are uncleared due to the clashes between the two groups," the STF personnel at the STF Headquarters in Batticaloa said.
While the refugees in Batticaloa town have been resettled, thousands of refugees remain trapped in the uncleared areas. They continue taking refuge in warehouses, schools and temporary camps, according to the STF.
No difference
However despite Batticaloa town being termed as "safe" by the STF, the roads during the day remain no different than in the night as they continue to be relatively deserted. With the town heavily guarded by the STF, civilians say they fear to walk on the streets due to continuous checking. There is also the fear of being abducted by various 'groups.'
Civilians also explained that they were imprisoned in their own areas as their every move was being noted by the security forces. With STF personnel standing every few metres, civilians said they had to produce their ID cards at least 10 times if they stepped onto the streets.
The presence of armed Karuna cadres roaming freely in Batticaloa town has done little to minimise the fears. Civilians say that over the past three months, men and children continue to be abducted despite the heavy presence of the STF in Batticaloa.
Shops along the main road in Batticaloa town virtually remain closed, opening for business only for three hours every morning. Over the past six months, several men have been abducted from their shops, driving fear into the trading community.
Children in danger
"We are scared to go to work or let our children out of our sight. When they go to school we have to accompany them. We hear gunshots all the time and this makes it very difficult for us to even walk on the roads. We can come under attack at any time," P. Sivakumar told The Sunday Leader.
An increase in confrontations between the Pillayan and Karuna forces over the last few weeks has once again put Batticaloa in the danger zone. Civilians say it will not be too long before they will have to pack up and move again.
"I have fled Batticaloa thrice with my family and have returned as the government declared it to be liberated. However we are yet to rejoice as we live under threat. Gunshots are heard everyday. The nights are worse," Manmohan Ramakrishna said.
STF personnel at the STF Headquarters said that they do not interfere in the clashes until the confrontations get out of control. They said maximum security is deployed to protect the refugees and civilians.
"We will not interfere unless and until it gets out of control. We have to protect the civilians and refugees and we are doing that. However if the confrontations harm any civilian then the STF will react," STF personnel said.
Low attendance
Attendance in schools is low due to the intermittent violence and the increase in abductions. Although STF personnel are deployed outside each school, parents say that many children have gone missing since last year. Teachers said they have now begun an awareness programme informing parents on the importance of education.
However this has achieved very little results as parents do not let their children out of their homes in fear.
"We cannot blame the parents as we all live under a lot of pressure. Confrontations between the two new factions have made it impossible for all of us to live a normal life. Children are checked and searched by the STF several times a day and as you can see, the town is swarming with the STF, " said Letchmi Kumaraswamy, a teacher attached to Central College, Batticaloa.
"We are forbidden to step into areas beyond the STF Headquarters. Despite the increase in security we still feel unsafe," she said.
Abductions continue
Parents of children who have been abducted said that they were being watched day and night by the security forces and despite several complaints lodged at the Batticaloa Police Station, little has been done.
A parent on the basis of anonymity told The Sunday Leader that his 15 year old son was abducted by six men eight months ago while he was returning home from school and although they have lodged a complaint with the police and the Human Rights Commission, no information regarding his son had been received to date.
The parent said that according to his son's friends who were with him at the time of the abduction, four men in a van and two men in a three wheeler pulled up and forced his son into the van. Two policemen who were standing a few metres away failed to take any action. The van and the three wheeler both had no number plates.
The price of liberation
While this incident occurred before the east was 'liberated,' parents said that although the government has now declared areas such as Batticaloa safe, abductions continued and in fact have increased since July. The recent confrontations between Pillayan and Karuna forces has only made matters worse.
Although the Karuna Group has put Pillayan in charge of its political and financial wings, confrontations between the two groups have continued since Pillayan moved to Trincomalee along with supporters after disagreements with Karuna a few months ago.
Since then men loyal to Karuna and Pillayan have continued to be killed by either group and the continuous confrontation between the two sides have already left many dead, the STF said.
Meanwhile the SLMM said last month that the Karuna faction was concentrating in using its resources in the Batticaloa District after it had closed down four of its five offices in Trincomalee.
"The SLMM registered less activity by the TMVP in Trincomalee, and four of its five offices appeared to have been shut down. The SLMM learned that the TMVP was in the process of concentrating its resources in Batticaloa," the SLMM said.
The SLMM also recorded incidents of armed child cadres from the faction moving in public and not being stopped at check points.
