Nisha

My experiences in Muthur
Miss. Nisha, Muthur coordinator

On the 1st August, 2006 I was traveling from Iruthayapuram [ This is a catholic Tamil village closer to Muthur] to muthur along with Fr. Ignatius, the Parish priest of Muthur. On that day Rev. Sr. Enit Apostolic convent sister from Muthur was celebrating her feast so I went to the convent to wish her happy feast. I stayed in the convent for the night.
Next day 2nd August, morning around 2 am we heard the sounds of bombing and shelling. We were so frightened we stayed inside the convent with sisters and the 22 orphan children. The bombing and shelling continued the whole day. The Tamil population for safety came to St. Anthony’s church. [convent is next building]. But unfortunately shelling started coming into the church and a 4th standard boy Aravind was having his meal and was hit by a shell and died on the spot. Three women were wounded and they were taken to Trinco hospital in two ambulance. The drivers also took their family members in the ambulance. When the ambulance reached 64th mile post, it was hit by a shell and the drivers wife died on the spot and the rest were rescued and send to Batticaloa hospital by the LTTE.
The fighting continued for the next three days. Since the people felt the church was not safe, all the people stayed in the convent. They had nothing to eat and were starving. I had Rs. 8000/- in my hand and I hand it over the sisters to buy necessary food materials. Near the convent, World Vision have a store room and the D.S opened the store room and distributed the food materials to the people. We were so afraid, we were unable to eat. We could see the movements of the LTTE and we heard that the LTTE has taken over Muthur.
On the 5th August, we heard from the D.S that the Muslim people are leaving Muthur. We also decided to leave Muthur. We left Muthur around 9.30 am by foot. On the way there was heavy shelling and we all lay flat on the ground. It happened many times. Near Peryapalam we could see people coming back and we heard from them that the army was not allowing them to proceed. The parish priest, Rev. Sisters, D.S. and the Pastors pleaded with the Army to allow the people to proceed further and finally they allowed us to go. But when we reached 64th mile post the army there again stopped us. The people started praying and crying loudly. May be our prayers were heard or the army took pity on us and allowed us to go.
We reached the LTTE area and the LTTE asked us to come through Chandanavettai [ JRS housing project village]. There the LTTE separated the Women and men. They were thoroughly checking the men and at the same time there was heavy shelling and many people who came with us died on that place. Because of the shelling we all fled in different direction and some of us reached Kilivetti school by 6.30 pm. Around 7.30 pm Fr. Diaz [ Trinco Caritas Director] and his staff members came with 10 vehicles. We all got into the vehicle and traveling towards Trincomalee and near Aliolzuva the displaced Muslims stopped us and that they should also be taken into our vehicle. Somehow we managed and reached Trincomalee around 10.30 pm. We are now in the St. Joseph’s college camp.
I thought that I may not see any of you again. When heavy shelling was taking place I asked the boy who was walking with me what they would do if I was wounded? Before he could answer the shell hit him and he died on the spot. I am feeling much better after talking with you all. God has given me 2nd life and I want to spend my life in a meaningful way.
I and my staff members were worried since we couldn’t make contact with her after 2nd August. We were relieved when we heard her voice on the phone on the 5th around 10 pm when she was traveling towards Trincomalee. Nisha has lost her aunt but she could make contact with her parents and they are safe. On the 6th she attended the office in Trincomalee and started working in the city camps. The other staffs are also safe and they are in St. Joseph’s college camp.