Archive for December 23rd, 2006
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
The past few days have seen thousands of pathetic Tamils described officially as Internally displaced persons (IDP’s)fleeing areas such as Vaakarai, Kathiraweli, Paalsenai etc in the Koralaipattru North division of Batticaloa district and seeking refuge in other parts of Batticaloa. A few hundreds have even gone back to villages in the Eechilampattru division of Trincomalee district.
According to official circles the number of displaced people from the Koralaipattru AGA division had reached 27, 837 by the evening of Thursday December 21st.
Most of these helpless people have fled their homes and temporary dwellings with the clothes they were wearing and a few belongings. They have overcome tremendous obstacles to reach what they believe will be a safe haven of refuge.They have resorted to jungle footpaths and water crossings to reach safety.
[Kajanthini, 20, was displaced into a refugee camp in Kataraveli after the tsunami. She sustained serious shrapnel injuries to her liver and kidneys when the camp was shelled by the Sri Lankan Army on Nov 8. She now lives in Aryampathy Camp in Batticaloa, which houses war refugees from the Tamil community - Picture by Tom Pietrasik - telegraph.co.uk]
With about 40, 000 displaced Tamils from Trincomalee district taking refuge in the Koralaipattru north division of Batticaloa district the Vaakarai region population had swollen to more than 50, 000.The Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) for politico – military reasons wanted the people driven out. De – populating Vaakarai was deemed crucial to defeat the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). In a sense it was like a re – play of what went on in Sampoor region in Trincomalee. A calculated campaign of aerial bombardment and artillery firing was conducted to de – populate Sampoor. When the security forces walked into Sampoor after the LTTE had vacated it, there were no Tamil civilians left.
Now a military campaign on those lines is being implemented to de – populate the Vaakarai region. Aerial and artillery attacks are conducted; food and medicine supply is restricted; refugee camps are shelled; movement of people to and from the area is curtailed; NGO”s are prevented from providing aid; Proper housing , schooling and sanitary facilties are denied. In such a situation the people naturally wanted to get out of the area.
Initially the GOSL security forces allowed people from the LTTE dominated Vaakarai region to move into other GOSL vontrolled areas of Batticaloa district. Around 10, 000 persons moved out in this way. But the LTTE got worried about this slow exodus. Restrictions were imposed.
It was Mao Ze Dong who compared guerrillas to fish and the people to an ocean. If the ocean is drained then fish will flounder . Likewise a region bereft of people will render guerillas vulnerable. The LTTE did not want that to happen. So the LTTE enforced strict controls. People wanting to move out were threatened with dire consequences. Shots were fired in the air to disperse people on the move. Some were beaten. Roads were mined. Other routes were blocked or monitored.
Strangely enough the security forces too imposed a blockade. The entry – exit point at Mankerny was blocked. Movement of people to and from the region was stopped. This in turn led to a drop in the outflow of refugees towards GOSL areas. The state had an ignoble purpose it seemed. It wanted to deprive the people of essentials and make their suffering acute. Moreover deliberate targetting of refugee camps by artillery went on. Restrictions were placed on taking injured people out. Even others needing urgent medical treatment like pregnant women were not allowed in.
The people undergoing immense suffering would have left the LTTE areas for the relatively safer GOSL areas but for certain reasons. One was the hope that the International Community (IC) would expedite action and end their agony. The other was a fear of what lay in store for them in GOSL controlled areas. The most important reason however was the LTTE refusal to allow them out. The fear of consequences at the hands of the LTTE was a major factor.
The situation however got worse. No hope seemed to be in sight. The advent of the monsoon made existentialist problems miserable.. Absence of proper dwellings aggravated the situation in a climate of rain and flood. The acute shortage of food, education , sanitation and medicine increased the suffering. Continuous artillery attacks threatened life and limb. Furthermore there was also the forced recruitment of young ones into the LTTE.
No people on earth can continue to suffer like the people of Vaakarai. There had to come a breaking point. The first signs came when the LTTE began moving out some cadres, artillery and military assets out of the region into Verugal area in Trincomalee and the Paduwaankarai – Tharavai – Vadamunai region in Batticaloa district. The people realised the LTTE was not going to hold out much longer.
Yet the people with long experience of war situations knew a bitter, bloody battle was likely before the final withdrawal. This meant a no holds barred onslaught by the armed forces. It also meant an unrestrained defence by the LTTE that would not pay much heed to the welfare of civilians. There was also the danger of drastic conscription to fight a last ditch battle. Adding to their woes was the weather that would make existence a tremendous burden.This fear of bad weather provided further impetus to the refugee outflow.
So the people began moving out. Initially it began as a trickle but soon became a flow. From hundreds a day the outflow increased to thousands per day. After some attempt to prevent the exodus the LTTE apparently gave up. The local tigers from the area did not have the “heart” to prevent the people from going out. There was some friction among the tigers on this matter. Ultimately the LTTE either turned a blind eye or was simply lax in preventing the people from going out.
With the main roads mined and effectively blocked by LTTE sentries the people resorted to two routes by sea and land.One way was to go out to sea by boat and land on the Mankerny and Kaluwankerny coasts. Another wat was to go out to sea and then turn inland into the Uppaaru lagoon and reach Pethalai and Nasivantheevu in the Valaichenai area.
The land route was to use jungle footpaths.. People used jungle routes to reach the Thirukonamadhu – Kattumurivu areas on one side. They also used jungle routes to reach Welikande areas.Ridithenna became the oasis of refuge and safety.
The rapid flow of displaced persons in such large numbers and within such a short period was something unexpected. Neither the security forces nor the civil administration was equipped to handle this. More than 17,000 had arrived via land and water in nine days. Those coming by boat had taken great risks because of the choppy waters. A few boats had capsized killing several people. Yet the people came braving the dangers. Life is the most important thing to humanity. Humans are prepared to risk death in order to seek life.
By the evening of Dec 21st the IDP”s coming out of Vaakarai region had reached 27. 837. With the total population in the area placed between 50 – 53, 000 (permanent and temporary) this figure amounted to more than half. At the rate that the people are coming out the figure is likely to increase beyond 60 %.
The people are being kept in transit camps for a maximum of three days and then moved out to permanent camps. The UNHCR, ZOA (Dutch NGO) and IOM are providing buses and vans to transport IDP”s from security camps and posts after screening. These organizations take them first to transit camps and from there to permanent camps.
According to Batticaloa officials there are 13 transit camps and 20 permanent camps. These camps are mainly in schools which are now closed due to holidays. Some IDP’s are being housed in transit camps in Polonnaruwa district too. With schools scheduled to commence classes in two weeks alternative accommodation has to be found speedily.
Batticaloa Govt officials in association with humanitarian organizations are engaged in finding alternative accommodation. Batticaloa Government Agent Punniyamoorthy told a Tamil newspaper that the relief assistance provided by the Government was inadequate to cater to IDP needs. It was only NGO assistance that was helping to supplement relief assistance.
Two areas in Mayliambaweli and Chenkallady have been identified to set up large, permanent camps. Other areas being looked at are in Kiran and Sithandy. There is however concern for two reasons. One is the weather and possibility of floods. Will the proposed camps be set up in a manner to overcome adverse weather conditions?
The other is the bane of the East – Conscription. The LTTE as well as the TMVP Karuna faction are engaged in conscription. The IDP camps are fertile grounds for conscription and/or recruitment. Stationing security forces in IDP camps to prevent conscription could bring about new problems. For one thing the role of security forces in aiding and abetting the Karuna faction conscript children has become highly suspect in the aftermath of the Allan Rock mission. Also the LTTE may target security personnel stationed at IDP camps thereby endangering refugees.There could also be LTTE – TMVP confrontations in the vicinity of IDP camps.
Another disturbing area of concern was the security screening of IDP’s. Many of those fleeing had come out mainly to safeguard their children. They wanted a “future” for them. A major fear was conscription at the hands of the LTTE. But a new danger awaits many in the GOSL areas. The security forces suspect that the LTTE may have infiltrated the IDP”s. Some feel that the tigers may have engineered the exodus to smuggle out cadres in the guise of refugees. These cadres could be a potential fifth column in GOSL areas.
So an elaborate screening process is underway.This is given priority. Instead of civilian Govt officials or UNHCR officials recording particulars of IDP’s the security screening is done first.The Karuna faction or TMVP screens the IDP’s first. “Suspicious” persons are detained. After the preliminary screening the security forces do another screening. Again people are detained on suspicion. Those cleared at screenings are registered by the army and given light refreshments like tea and biscuits. Those in bad health are sent to hospitals. Others are sent to transit camps. The “shuttle” service provided by UNHCR, ZOA and IOM look after transport.
The Karuna faction has opened up temporary “posts” or offices to screen the IDP’s. People are treated roughly and suspiciously.For instance, a boatload of IDP”s were “screened” at the TMVP office in Nasivantheevu. The wet and chilled people were kept for long hours as the screening was on. An old woman collapsed during this wait. Many people caught chills because proper attention was not paid as they waited long for screening.
One of the stories troubling IDP’s is that at least twelve youths have gone “missing” after screening. Since there is no official record of IDP arrivals prior to security screening it is quite possible for people to go missing. Any complaint by family members could be officially denied. Also the IDP”s themselves feel very insecure and would hesitate to pursue matters of this nature firmly. At present NGO”s catering to IDP needs are trying to ascertain the varacity of the story of “missing” persons. The danger of recurring “missing” instances is very real.
A fact – finding team comprising members of two NGO’s – INFORM and IMADR – undertook two field trips to Kantalai on Dec 12th and Batticaloa on Dec 13th – 15th. The preliminary report of INFORM draws attention to this security screening issue.
The report also makes some concrete suggestions in this regard that should be actively considered by the authorities. The observations made in this report should receive urgent priority.
There is no doubt that more” IDP”s will arrive from the Vaakarai region in the days to come. Escalation of fighting could increase IDP traffic from other areas too. The GOSL has been cruel and callous in disregarding safety and security of Tamil civilians in the recent past. Its excuse has been that of security for all these acts of omission and commission.
Now these poor people are taking refuge in GOSL areas.Deprivation of basic rights and facilities along with denial of security/safety have compelled these persons to relocate to GOSL areas.
If the Rajapakse regime wants to make some amends for its atrocious conduct and redeem itself to some degree here is an opportunity. The Government should address the needs of these IDP”s immediately and adequately.
LTTE shelling has caused thousands of Sinhala IDP”s in Seruwila and Serunuwara to flee to Kanthalai. The state machinery is working top gear to look after their needs. Such concern and care is missing in the case of these Tamil IDP”s.
These people many of whom have been displaced over and over again are treated like children of a lesser God. This should not be the case.
If the Rajapakse regime wants to redeem itself and restore some respect to its tarnished image, urgent and proper attention has to be paid to the ever increasing number of Tamil IDP”s. The International Community that failed to prevent Tamil civilian suffering should at least pressure Colombo to reach out to these poor civilians whose only “fault” is being born as Tamils in strategic areas of the East.
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December 23rd, 2006
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
The Northern region of Batticaloa district is being rapidly de – populated of people!
People living amid great hardship in areas controlled by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are moving out to the relatively safe areas controlled by the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL).
There is a propaganda war on. The GOSL says the people are fleeing from LTTE oppression and seeking liberty in GOSL areas. The LTTE says the Government is driving out these people in a systematic campaign of ethnic cleansing. Meanwhile the people are on the move seeking refuge and safety. They are neither for nor against any entity. All they want is to be safe and exercise that fundamental freedom – The right to life.
Theirs is a harrowing tale of sorrow and misery. These suffering humans are mere hapless mortals caught up in a cruel game of war waged by the state and the tigers. Both the GOSL and LTTE have treated them as mere pawns in their calculations. The media is full of stories about territory gained and territory lost while these flesh and blood humans have gained nothing and lost everything.
The displaced people are being de – humanised and reduced to mere statistics. Their suffering is being highlighted in both the pro – GOSL and pro – LTTE media. Their experiences and stories are being used for propaganda purposes. Both sides try to demonise the other . The people are human fodder for the propaganda guns. Both sides pointedly refrain from accepting any responsibility for the abject condition of these people and seek to blame only the enemy
The Koralaipattru North region has been impoverished and backward even during the best of times. Its economy is mainly based on fisheries, agriculture, forestry and livestock and dairy. The outbreak of war has affected it drastically. With the LTTE gaining control of the region it became systematically deprived and deliberately targeted. This northern region of Batticaloa district is separated from Southern region of Trincomalee district by the Verugal river.
The Koralaipattru North region had around 10 – 12,000 permanent residents in April this year. Then came the deliberate bombing and shelling of Tamil areas in the Muthur East region of Trincomalee district. This campaign was undertaken with the ostensible purpose of driving the people out of the strategic Sampoor area. The people fled Southwards moving from place to place in search of safety as aerial bombardment and artillery shelling intensified.
The bulk of these wretched of the North – Eastern earth – whose plight has been spotlighted in these columns earlier – reached the Koralaipattru north region and took up temporary residence as IDP’s. The number of people in Koralaipattru north swelled up to more than 50,000. Their troubles however were not over.
The GOSL began deliberately curtailing the movement of people and transport of medicine, building materials, food, essential goods etc to and from the Koralaipattru north division generally known as Vaakarai region. GOSL also conducted several aerial bombings of the area. Artillery was also used to fire into the area. The GOSL of course justified these attacks and stringent measures on the grounds of security.
In fairness to the GOSL there was some basis for security related concerns. The LTTE had relocated its Trincomalee district headquarters from Sampoor to Verugal on the Batticaloa border. Its main sea tiger base was now in Kathiraveli and Paalsenai. Moreover the formidable artillery battery stationed in Sampoor was also moved out to the Vaakarai – Verugal region.
The security forces accused the LTTE of firing artillery from this region towards Trincomalee district army camps in Maavillaaru, Mahindapura, Kallaru. Somapura etc and also towards Batticaloa district army camps in Mankerny. Cadjuwatte, Valaichenai etc.
While the LTTE oriented hostilities provided the security forces with a convenient excuse to target the Vaakarai – Verugal region there was also a larger objective. The Sinhala – supremacist regime of Mahinda Rajapakse has a major politico – military objective. It wants to de – link the North and East and then bring the Eastern province under its full control.These motives have been described in detail in these columns earlier.
In the process the regime also wants to de – populate Trincomalee district of Tamils and drive Tamils living in LTTE controlled areas in Batticaloa – Amparai into GOSL dominated regions. This is in effect a scorched earth policy where many Tamils will be deprived of dwellings and livelihood and reduced to a hand – out dependent life in refugee camps in their land of historic habitation.
The Eastern province at present has four zones under LTTE domination. The Eechilampattru – Verugal areas in Trincomalee district, The Kanchikudichaaru – Rufuskulam region in Amparai district, Large areas in the Paduvaankarai and Tharavai – Vadanunai region in Batticaloa west and the Vaakarai region in Batticaloa north. While the LTTE dominates most of Batticaloa hinterland the GOSL controls much of the littoral. The only coastal areas under LTTE control in Batticaloa district are in the Vaakarai region.This makes that zone a coveted prize as far as the state is concerned.
The security forces game plan seems to be that of a Southern push in Trincomalee and a North – Eastern push in Batticaloa to take the Vaakarai region. The para – military force being raised under the name of Karuna will be utilised to take on the LTTE in Paduvaankarai and Tharavai – Vadamunai. The STF and Karuna faction will jointly target the Amparai tigers. Already a force of 1200 – 1500 has been conscripted and recruited to fight as Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP).
The LTTE realises this fully. Hence its strenuous efforts to retain the Eastern regions under its control. Their attacks and counter – attacks in the East are aimed at retaining territorial control . The Vaakarai coastal area is of crucial importance in this respect. But given the manpower and military assets possessed by the LTTE in the East it seems a foregone conclusion that the tigers will have to give way at some point to a military juggernaut superior in air, sea and land power.
The situation may change if there is a significant LTTE influx of men and materials from the North to East but at present there seems no indication of that happening. The LTTE hierarchy in the Wanni is concerned more with defending the main rear base in the North with the idea perhaps of launching effective counter – offensives. Unless there is some strategic re- appraisal the LTTE leadership is not likely to provide increased input into the East. This means the Eastern tigers can only postpone the inevitable through their tenacity .
Against the backdrop of such an elaborate politico – military design the people of Vakarai region – both permanent and temporary – are regarded as being of no consequence. The deaths, destruction and displacement undergone by them will only be “collateral damage”. The stakes however are high and both sides have been fighting fiercely to win or more importantly not to lose. Inhuman methods have been employed.
The GOSL has restricted food and essential items being taken to the Vaakarai region. Quantities amounting to less than half of what is required have been taken irregularly. Movement to and from the area has been restricted for nearly ten weeks. Access by ICRC, UNHCR and SLMM are severely curtailed. Artillery attacks have been launched regularly.
In a display of callous disregard for civilised norms refugees housed in schools have been victimised on many occasions. Nearly a hundred civilians have been killed and more than two – hundred injured in these attacks. The LTTE request for a “safe haven” in Vaakarai was pointedly ignored.
A slow exodus in search of safety and relatively better conditions began. But the LTTE got worried about this slow exodus. Restrictions were imposed. People wanting to move out were threatened with dire consequences. Shots were fired in the air to disperse people on the move. Some were beaten. Roads were mined. Other routes were blocked or monitored
It was the “great helmsman” Mao Ze Dong who compared guerrillas to fish and the people to an ocean. If the ocean is drained then fish will flounder . Likewise a region bereft of people will render guerillas vulnerable. The LTTE did not want that to happen. So the LTTE enforced strict controls.
No people on earth can continue to suffer like the people of Vaakarai. There had to come a breaking point. The first signs came when the LTTE began moving out some cadres, artillery and military assets out of the region into Verugal area in Trincomalee and the Paduwaankarai – Tharavai – Vadamunai region in Batticaloa district. The people realised the LTTE was not going to hold out much longer.
Yet the people with long experience of war situations knew a bitter, bloody battle was likely before the final withdrawal. This meant a no holds barred onslaught by the armed forces. It also meant an unrestrained defence by the LTTE that would not pay much heed to the welfare of civilians. There was also the danger of drastic conscription to fight a last ditch battle. Adding to their woes was the weather that would make existence a tremendous burden. This fear of bad weather provided further impetus to the refugee outflow.
So the people began moving out. Initially it began as a trickle but soon became a flow. From hundreds a day the outflow increased to thousands per day. After some attempt to prevent the exodus the LTTE apparently gave up. The local tigers from the area did not have the “heart” to prevent the people from going out. There was some friction among the tigers on this matter. Ultimately the LTTE either turned a blind eye or was simply lax in preventing the people from going out.
The IDP figure of people taking refuge in Other areas of Batticaloa has reached 27,837 on December 21st evening. This amounts to more than half of the population in Koralaipattru North. Given the current rate of movement this figure is likely to exceed 35, 000 in a few days unless of course the LTTE enforces firm restrictions. Already the tigers have been accused of using civilians as human shields.
Whatever the propaganda on both sides the actuality on ground is that the people want “out”. They do not want to be caught up in a war they neither desire nor support. After four years of “peace” it seems a heartless crime to make these people suffer the agony and destruction of war.
The people living in Koralaipattru North are moving out primarily to eke out a life of relative safety. They have been pushed to this position by the series of harsh, inhuman measures adopted by the GOSL to drive them out.
The GOSL has reached the heights of hypocrisy when it says the people have escaped from tiger tyranny to seek liberty in Government areas. The GOSL has used brute force and inhuman methods to persecute a voiceless segment of its population and drive it away from its habitat for politico – military reasons. This is part of the genocidal war being waged by Colombo.
The people have no choice. What they want is safety. The would have come out sooner but for LTTE prevention. Life is the most important thing to humanity. Humans are prepared to risk death in order to seek life.
With Vaakarai region being rapidly de – populated GOSL security forces are likely to escalate military activity soon. Massive aerial bombardment and artillery attacks will be launched. The civilians remaining in Vaakarai will be regarded as “tigers” and treated as such. Such classification could be terribly wrong.
Crossing over from LTTE areas to GOSL areas amids at tiger hostility and adverse weather is not an easy task. There are many people in Koralaipattru who are old, sick and feeble. They cannot make the arduous journey so they stay where they are. Besides some of the original inhabitants do not want to leave their homes, livestock or poultry. Some could be prevented from moving by the LTTE too. Under these circumstances it would be a grave blunder to treat those remaining as tigers and unleash violent havoc on them.
The on going de – population of Koralaipattru indicates what lies in store for Eastern Tamils currently. Sampoor was ethnically cleansed of Tamils. A high security zone bereft of Tamils is being established. A similar re-play with slight modifications is likely in Vaakarai too. This pattern is likely to emerge in other theatres of conflict in the East. Later the North too will be afflicted in the same manner.
The Tamil homelands are being systematically ravaged and de – populated. A scorched earth policy is being implemented ruthlessly. Only the Western nations and India can curb the Rajapakse triad. The Tamil people are on the edge of disaster. The regime is all out to wreak havoc. The International Community can halt it if it wants to.
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December 23rd, 2006
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
At least twelve displaced persons from the Vaakarai region seeking refuge in Govt controlled areas of Batticaloa have reportedly gone missing allege informed sources from the district.
According to these sources the persons were youths suspected of being members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) who were masquerading as Internally displaced persons from the Vaakarai region.
The youths had reportedly gone “missing” after security screening conducted by both the Karuna faction known as Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) and security forces.
All attempts to trace the missing persons by relatives and NGO officials have not been successful so far. Official sources have denied that any IDP has been detained.
With a large influx of refugees streaming in , security forces suspect that the LTTE may have infiltrated the IDP”s. Some feel that the tigers may have engineered the exodus to smuggle out cadres in the guise of refugees. These cadres could be a potential fifth column in GOSL areas.
So an elaborate screening process is underway. This is given priority. Instead of civilian Govt officials or UNHCR officials recording particulars of IDP’s the security screening is done first.
The Karuna faction or TMVP screens the IDP’s first. “Suspicious” persons are detained for further interrogation.. After the preliminary screening the security forces do another screening. Again people are detained on suspicion for more intensive questioning.
Those cleared at screenings are registered by the army and given light refreshments like tea and biscuits. Those in bad health are sent to hospitals. Others are sent to transit camps. The “shuttle” service provided by UNHCR, ZOA and IOM look after transport.
The Karuna faction has opened up temporary “posts” or offices to screen the IDP’s.
One of the stories troubling IDP’s is that at least twelve youths have gone “missing” after screening.
Since there is no official record of IDP arrivals prior to security screening it is quite possible for people to go missing. Any complaint by family members could be officially denied. Also the IDP”s themselves feel very insecure and would hesitate to pursue matters of this nature firmly. At present NGO”s catering to IDP needs are trying to ascertain the varacity of the story of “missing” persons. The danger of recurring “missing” instances is very real.
A fact – finding team comprising members of two NGO’s – INFORM and IMADR – undertook two field trips to Kantalai on Dec 12th and Batticaloa on Dec 13th – 15th. The preliminary report of INFORM draws attention to this security screening issue. The report also makes some concrete suggestions in this regard that should be actively considered by the authorities. Excerpts from the report are given below –
“There is no denying that people who have been at the receiving end of shelling by the LTTE and by the SL security forces have suffered tremendously, not only in terms of loss of lives and property but in terms of the psychological harm inflicted on them because of the insecurity and fear generated by the conflict. ”
“However, there is a clear difference between the IDPs in Kantalai and those in Valaichchenai and other locations in Batticaloa, due to the security situation. The IDPs coming out of Vaakarai are viewed with some degree of suspicion and fear by the security forces and by the paramilitaries. Thus, they have to undergo screening and interrogation by two separate groups – paramilitary and army – as they reach government-controlled territory”.
“While there should be no downplaying or undermining of the real security challenges confronted by the security forces in the East, especially in view of the on-going offensive in Vaakarai, humanitarian principles call for IDPs to be registered and their basic needs attended to first BEFORE they are handed over for interrogation. If not, there is well-founded fear that IDPs may disappear during interrogation and not be accounted for due to there being no ‘proof’ – i.e. registration document – that testifies to the fact that the person/s concerned had reached the interrogation point.”
“Security concerns from the perspective of the security forces may have been a criteria when selecting sites for temporary location of the IDPs from Vaakarai. However, it is clear that the safety and security concerns of the IDPs has not been given priority in making the decisions regarding the temporary relocation sites. ”
“As civil society organizations we feel we should lobby the government and the international community to ensure that IDPs from Vaakarai are treated with dignity and rights and are located in sites where there can be no threats to their safety and security.”
“Putting this process into action is all the more critical in view of the fact that the fighting in Vaakarai may continue for a few more weeks at least and thus generate more IDPs. “The observations made in this report should receive urgent priority.
There is no doubt that more IDP”s will arrive from the Vaakarai region in the days to come. Escalation of fighting could increase IDP traffic from other areas too. The GOSL has been cruel and callous in disregarding safety and security of Tamil civilians in the recent past. Its excuse has been that of security for all these acts of omission and commission.
Now these poor people are taking refuge in GOSL areas. Deprivation of basic rights and facilities along with denial of security/safety have compelled these persons to relocate to GOSL areas. If the Rajapakse regime wants to make some amends for its atrocious conduct and redeem itself to some degree here is an opportunity. The Government should address the needs of these IDP”s immediately and adequately.
LTTE shelling has caused thousands of Sinhala IDP”s in Seruwila and Serunuwara to flee to Kanthalai. The state machinery is working top gear to look after their needs. Such concern and care is missing in the case of these Tamil IDP”s.
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December 23rd, 2006