Crush Rejuvenated Tamil Armed Resistance Militarily without Denying It
Posted on January 3rd, 2011
– Kumar Moses ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
The writing is on the wall. Tamil armed groups are back. There is no denying that. However, for political reasons government and the Ministry of Defence refuse to admit it. Living in denial is very dangerous. Four months ago three Sinhala traders were stabbed and seriously wounded in Jaffna. Just a few weeks ago a Hindu priest and his sons were shot in Jaffna and now the deputy zonal education director of Jaffna has been shot dead. It is the same clear pattern of violence that was seen in the 1970s. For political reasons the then Sirima Bandaranaike government refused to take action after her government was blamed for excesses in putting down the 1971 insurrection. Delay costed the country dearly. When open war started it was far too late.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ What are the real reasons behind these incidents?
Attacking Sinhala traders was part of a big plan to keep Sinhalese out of Jaffna. ItƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s the same thing that happened in the 1970s. There were more than 25,000 Sinhalese in Jaffna in 1971 but by 1981 more than 20,000 of them were chased away bringing their number down to a mere 4,000.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Shooting a Hindu priest and his sons just a few weeks ago is a definite eye opener. Pro-LTTE elements prepared to celebrate what they call Maveerar Nal. They instructed all Hindu temples in the Jaffna peninsular to toll the bells on November 27 at a given time. However, Sri Lanka Army took timely action to cripple this plan. The particular Hindu priest, like others, refrained from following instructions of pro-LTTE groups earning their wrath. He and his sons were attacked which was seen as a warning against anyone not obeying orders of pro-LTTE groups.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Tsunami remembrance was held in Jaffna on December 26. Tamil students in the north were required to sing the National Anthem in Sinhala. Education department personnel were under pressure from pro-LTTE elements not to comply with this requirement. However, they refused to take up the matter and complied with the instructions from the government. The result was revenge from pro-LTTE groups killing the deputy zonal education director.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Blaming the government while achieving their goal
The other part of their actions is to blame the government for their crimes. It is totally absurd to blame the security forces for these heinous crimes. Old records show this was how they did things in the 1970s when violent incidents including the assassination of Alfred Duraiappa were blamed on the government. Blame for LTTE leaderƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s first victim was laid on SLFP internal politics in Jaffna. While these rubbish claims are used to fool the unsuspecting public, terrorists achieve their goal of terrorising the people in the north to submission. Terrorising and getting the people in the north to take instructions from the LTTE is the ultimate goal. Once people stop resisting the LTTE, its cadres are going to use them as a cover to attack security forces.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It is worthwhile to note that there were no direct attacks on security forces in the north during 1970s. First it was Tamils associated with the government who became victims of LTTE terror. Once people were subjugated, Tigers moved to harass and attack the army.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ We are back to the days when Tigers were growing. Unless they are stopped in their tracks using military means, there will be no end to this.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The third ingredient – extortionists at work
Terrorists donƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t aim to engage in an all out war. What they want is to exert enough pressure on the government so that separatists and pro-Tamil racist politicians can extort various favours from the government. It took less than a day for this to happen after the latest attack in the north. Tamil United Liberation Front (the party that took up the creation of Tamil Elam at the 1977 election) leader – V Anandasangaree – making good use of the attack started making race based demands. Clearly the pattern of pressure, terror and extortion is established.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Soon TNA and other Tamil racist political groups will jump in the bandwagon and make many Tamil-only demands making good use of the pressure created by pro-LTTE murderers. If the government yields to pressure, it becomes a habit for these groups to secretly collude and openly criticise each other while benefiting both ways. Soon people in the north too will be convinced that ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”a little bit of pressure using violenceƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ is the way to win demands. When things deteriorate to that level, it is far too late.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The trap the government is inƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
Unlike during the war, the government cannot go all out and destroy these terror elements. Firstly, because they function stealthily from within the people. Secondly because it is embarrassing and humiliating to accept that the LTTE threat is still there. Thirdly, the propaganda effect is pushing the government for a less aggressive response. LTTE groups around the world made a huge noise against the humanitarian operation that ended in remarkable success in 2009. Due to international pressure, the government is reluctant to use force against remaining LTTE elements in the north for the fear of further arousing the LTTE Diaspora. All these reasons combined have created a very dangerous atmosphere which is exploited by the LTTE.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Counter Insurgency (CI) strategy as specified in textbooks clearly indicate what needs to be done under these circumstances. Though unpleasant and unpopular in the areas they are applied, these tried and tested CI strategies must be applied to contain LTTE terror. In all fairness General Sarath Fonseka when serving in the army was quite good at CI strategy and the absence of his expertise is also going to cost the nation badly. The absence of his CI expertise must be overcome by tapping into the expertise of many other competent CI strategists in the army. Appropriate retaliatory measures must be taken without delay. Failing to do so will convince the northerners that LTTE is gaining control. Once these splinter groups show they can ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”deliver the goodsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢, the LTTE Diaspora is going to reward them with millions of dollars of money.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sadly Sri Lankan leaders rarely recognize threats in time. By the time they decide to take action it is far too late costing lives, money and public support. If the guarding lights of the nation are awake 24/7 as it is believed, they must not keep silent on current developments; nor should they deny the resurgence of the LTTE threat. It is important to eliminate it using whatever means that work before the LTTE cancer spreads again. Tough cancers call for hard medicine and tough therapy. The duty of patriots is not to immerse in victory celebrations but to keep eyes and ears open to emerging threats all the time and force national leaders to take timely action.
January 3rd, 2011 at 3:34 pm
Kumar cannot be more correct and accurate in his submissions.
Sri Lanka’s defence ministry has a mammoth task in hand. There should be more army representation and more vigilance in not only the north but e ast as well as north-west where the LTTE was driven out of.
In view of more and more hard-core LTTE cardres being released from detention the defence ministry should expect more and more agitation of this type. The solution can be two fold. One for more effective security personnel and the other is to have a larger populace of sinhalese in these areas.
About 200,000 over a five year period will bring about a uniform blend. Then as the sinhalese population increases more and more appropriate investments must be made to sustain the increase in population. Sri Lanka should never allow enclaves of tamil only or muslim only areas. There is no reason for that. Sri Lanka is a multi-ethnic country and it should be practiced. This will slowly and surely silence the Diaspora Tamils from all over the world and the political jokers from southern indian states, especialy from Tamil Nadu. JP/Indonesia
January 3rd, 2011 at 4:12 pm
Kumar a true patriot has raised the alarm yet again while plenty of born again peace pundits are at full gear celebrating, being nice and above all being foolish as usual. They do not even imagine subtle conspiracies in action all the time.
While development work goes on at whatever pace suitable, anti-terrorist technology should be innovative, up to date and ruthless if we are to survive in this small island.
It is the old fashioned method to deny press freedom in order to carry out anti-terrorist duties. Give full freedom but before that pass stronger anti-terrorist laws applied equally to foreigners as well as locals. These laws are easy to pass now, even reimposing death penalty shall be considered for insurgency.
Rather than imposing pre- approved visa requirements, let the foreigners come knowing full consequence of foul play. Take Singapore laws as examples – study them and pass all the laws now.
January 3rd, 2011 at 4:27 pm
I have my reservations about “Tamil Armed Resistance”. Why not call it LTTE? EPDP Tamils are good.
But I 100% agree with Kumar that we must act fast. Things are getting a bit out of control in the north. Released terrorists do all sorts of things. They have to be killed otherwise no real peace. Lets not wait till sh*t hits the fan.
January 3rd, 2011 at 9:31 pm
Kumar is very emphatic in predicting ” THAT COMING EVENTS ARE CASTING THEIR SHADOWS. ” What Kumar has suggested is a very serious situation, and no one can deny that. In the 1970s, that is how they started. Violence towards the Sinhalese, and not to forget, comitting a series of BANK ROBBERIES. These LTTE killers, start by killing Tamils first, who do not tow the line, and who are dis-obedient to LTTE Orders. A wave of fear is put in to the Tamils, so that no one talks out of turn.
Then, these Tamil killings are used by the LTTE, to draw a Red Herring across the Trail, and falsely propogate that the Army, or Government has a hand in it. The Government denies, and goes into a mode of complacency. As the President – Gotabaya strategy was put into operation during the last phase of the War, it has now to be introduced in a more formidable manner. It is the Army Commander that has to intensify intelligence, and get at the LTTE Conspirators immediately.
The Army must be detailed to find the killers of Zonal Education Director, and also those who shot the Hindu priest and his sons. It must be accepted that the Educational Director gave his life for nothing. It is a Cardinal sin, and the perpetrators will have to be searched, identified and militarily punished, period.
I observe that His Excellency, The Defence Secretary, Army Commander etc, mingling very complacently in crowds. and I often try to locate those who are entrusted with their safety. I believe, they too are in celebration mood, and goes into complacency. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS TREND. One breach of a High Security Target, is enough for the New LTTE conspirators to create International news, thereby strengthen their lost morale.
Some of our Legislators are coming up with stupid suggestions, like changing names from Ceylon to Sri Lanka, bringing in legislation to stop young girls from wearing short skirts, and asking Saudi to come and fish in our waters, for them to get 80% of the catch, and for Sri Lanka to collect 20% from them. There will be a Fishing War round the Island. All these minions are lost at sea without a compass. They have got their PRIORITIES MIXED UP.
LTTE knows that they can pull the wool over this kind of Legislators eyes, and put them into complacent mode.Then it is easy to put their sinister plans into action.
Army, Navy and Airforce camps have to be increased in the nothern and Eastern Region. While giving them residential quarters, the Sinhalese and Muslims who were ethnically cleansed from North a East shoul be rehabilitated forthwith. This should be done at a rapid pace.Tamil Domains, and Tamil Homelands in time to come should be a mythe. The Army Commander has to take a very forceful lead.
Kumars advice to ” CRUSH REJUVENATED TAMIL ARMED RESISTANCE, Militarily, without denying it ” is laudable.
January 3rd, 2011 at 11:39 pm
Kumar’s letter is an eye opener for everyone. Like I said before there should be strong presence of our war heros in the east and North.There should be camp bases in every stratagic place around the country. Our coast guard should be vigilant as ever. Do not pity for any terrorists.They are criminals and murderers and the released L.T.T.E. caders should be monitiored all the time using plain cloths intelegence serviceman. Should not give TNA to dance as they pleased.The President should take a tough stand and arrest the culprits of all these murders and kidnappings as soon as possible and see the whole country is in safe hands. We have to build houses and give all the neccessary requirments and security to all Sinhalese and Muslims who were living in the North and East. Dont wait till it’s too late. have to take tough action to eliminate this menace once and for all.This is our country and we need Peace as ever and should not allow few murderers to put fear into the minds of our citizens again. Gota act fast like I have said many times.These snakes will take revenge someday so we must be ready for them.
January 4th, 2011 at 3:13 am
Any resurgence of terrorism whether it be the LTTE or old-JVP or any other group, the Govt need to nip it in the bud, as SriLankans have sufferred too much for too long under these two brutal movements.
With Channel4, HRW, AI and other UK/USA/EU funded establishments disseminating fabricated evidence against SriLanka in support of the wealthy and influential LTTE terrorists in their countries, the SriLankan Govt has nothing to lose if further accusations are directed by these organisations for prosecuting these terrorists and strictly enforcing of law and order in the country. When taking such action there certainly could be instances of innocent civilians getting caught in the net, but SriLanka may do well to emulate USA and Western countries and disregard such possibilities for the greater good of the nation. However, if in fear of these controvertial organisations, with no or little credibility, the SriLankan Govt avoids arresting Tamil Tiger terrorists, then SriLanka will pay for it in the longer term, just like what happened in the past three decades. It is my hope the Rajapakse regime will act fast with sufficiently deterrent force, since the innocent vast majority of the population too yearns to enjoy their human rights without having to take orders anymore from terrorists or criminals.
January 4th, 2011 at 7:42 am
This is why the LTTE dispora want the army out of North.First kill,harass and chase Sinhalese. Then get more and more Tamil Nadu Tamils, continue the Tamil Nadu extension project materialise, wailing to the world as innocent victims. And where are the Human Right Champions???????
January 4th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
Kumar is absolutely right. Violence has to be stopped and law and order restored in all parts of the country. If this is not done the country will slide back into a lawless society.
People need to speak up. Law an order is essential for development.