The Norwegian-led Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) has been informed of LTTE threats on Sinnathamby Marakad of Kiran, security sources said on Thursday, adding that the man had tried to commit suicide by taking poison.

He took poison on Tuesday, the sources said. Neighhbours had admitted him to the Batticaloa government hospital. He is being treated at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The sources said the victim had been forced to hand over his tractor to the LTTE on several occasions. He had told troops deployed at the Kiran bridge guard point that he had been forced to hand over his tractor to the LTTE on February 20. The LTTE had handed over the vehicle to Marakad on May 3 and ordered him to take the vehicle to Pondukalchenai where a group of LTTE cadres was waiting for him. Instead of taking the tractor there, he had told troops deployed at Kiran bridge guard point of his plight. Troops had taken the tractor and handed it over to Valaichenai police. Police had released the tractor to Marakad last Tuesday.

However, a group of LTTE cadres on the same day visited Marakad’s home at Kiran, about 20 kms west of Batticaloa and seized the vehicle. Unable to prevent the LTTE from taking his tractor he had swallowed poison, the sources said. (SF)