Little ones huddle together at night in fear

The latest string of terrorist attacks and suicide bombings has traumatised people living in the stricken areas, especially the children.

“I am feeling afraid now. I saw pieces of human flesh, bone fragments as well as maggots in the house [in which the suicide bombings took place in Sainthamaruthu]. I feel afraid to live down this street any more. I am afraid to go to school as well,” a 13-year old child told The Sunday Times.

With schools set to reopen for the second term tomorrow, parents show great reluctance to send their kids to school, and the children are nervous too.

Sainthamaruthu residents say that their kids are too frightened to leave their rooms at night to go to the toilet. The little ones sleep huddled together due to the fear that envelopes their minds.

“My seven-year-old son was holding his hands on his head and shouting out for me when the explosions were taking place. He has been petrified since then,” a mother told us.

Distrust is growing between people. Some argue that the Ameera, the owner, should not have rented out her house to a person who was not from their area. Others support her, saying she needed a rental quickly as she was desperate to pay off her debts.

All residents are adamant that they will never trust a stranger who walks onto their street again.