Sunday, September 12, 2004

SLA involvement in Pullumalai attack aimed at provocating LTTE - Thamilchelvan [TamilNet, September 13, 2000 12:06 GMT]

Noting that the "evidence of MAG personnel, proximity of the Tampaddi SLA camp vis-à-vis the LTTE point and the fact that the attackers alighted from the MAG vehicle and carried the dead into the SLA camp are clear indicators of SLA complicity in the attack", the LTTE Political Head, Mr. S. P. Thamilchelvan, accused Friday that the "SLA is engaged in ceasefire violations with a view to provocate the LTTE and thereby leading to disruption of the entire peace process" in a letter to the SLMM Head.

The full text of LTTE Political Head letter to the Chief of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission follows:

"It is reported that a group of about 30 persons, some of them Tamil youths and others from the Sri Lankan Military have gone on rampage trying to attack the LTTE FDL at Pullumalai around 22.00 hours on 7 September. The LTTE cadres in the complex have repulsed the attack and in the confrontation that ensued, two attackers are reported to be killed.

"The attackers have approached the LTTE point from the direction of the SLA military complex. Based on a report from the Mine Advisory Group (MAG) who are based in close proximity to this site, this group of attackers have, after the confrontation with LTTE, entered into the MAG demining unit and demanded under the threat of gun, the MAG personnel to go with them to the attack site and help to remove two dead bodies. They also removed the stretchers from MAG and insisted on MAG personnel to carry the bodies which the latter refused. On being attacked with gun butts, the four MAG personnel suffered injuries. However they complied with the order and carried the bodies under gun threat in the MAG vehicle.

"The attackers directed the MAG vehicle to a point closer to the Thampaddi SLA camp, alighted from the vehicle with the dead bodies and entered into the SLA camp and the MAG personnel have been warned not to divulge this information to anybody. These four injured MAG members returned to their base at 08.30 on 8 September and three of them have been admitted to hospital. Along with the stretchers, the attackers have also taken with them cell phones and walkie talkie belonging to the MAG.

"The evidence of MAG personnel, proximity of the Tampaddi SLA camp vis-à-vis the LTTE point and the fact that the attackers alighted from the MAG vehicle and carried the dead into the SLA camp are clear indicators of SLA complicity in the attack.

"You are aware that this is not the first such incident and the pattern of events does not augur well for the upholding of the CFA. You are also aware that the patience of the Tamil people and their leadership is also running out and there is a general fear and suspicion that the SLA is in fact engaged in ceasefire violations with a view to provocate the LTTE and thereby leading to disruption of the entire peace process. Deterrent measures need to be taken to prevent recurrence in the larger interest of peace."