Tigers admit inabillity to counter Karuna threat
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam organization led by Velupillai Pirapakaran is
finding it increasingly difficult to counter the politico - military threat posed by its
erstwhile Eastern regional commander Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan alias
"Col" Karuna.
Despite the tough talk over a potential threat to the ceasefire being imminent
and the double - speak about the activities of "para - militaries" hindering the
LTTE political cadres from doing political work the reality is that the powerful tigers
are feeling insecure and beleagured in the face of increasing risk from the
Karuna factor.
The tigers who threatened to arrange for their own security and escort in
transporting political cadres from the North to East and vice versa swallowed their
pride and obtained a major concession from the Government. The Government
has agreed to provide security for the tigers when travelling to and from the East.
Moreover the Government has also agreed to the tiger plea that security forces
should travel along with them in the vehicles in addition to providing armed escort.
This is virtually an insurance policy to safeguard the tigers from landmines planted
by the Karuna faction officially known as the "Thamil Theseeyap Padai" or Tamil
National Force. The LTTE fears being landmined even when escorted by the
security forces and SLMM. So it wants security personnel to be with them in their
vehicles to prevent being targeted. The security forces have been magnanimous
to their pre - ceasefire foes by agreeing to provide a "human shield".
The Tamil National Force comprises Eastern tiger cadres loyal to Karuna, ENDLF
cadres led by Santhiveli Mama, PLOTE "Mohan" Group cadres, TELO "Varathan"
group cadres and EPRLF "Razeek" Group cadres. They are being reorganized
and retrained in the Minneriya region of Polonnaruwa district. At least 35 batches
have been trained. They are formed into seven different units so far.
As stated in these columns "Col" Karuna whose wife and children are living in a
South - East Asian Country travels to that Country and back from Sri Lanka.
While staying in the South Karuna also goes up to Polonnaruwa occasionally
according to informed sources. Karuna also made a trip recently to Kiran his
village in Batticaloa district to pay his respects and attend the funeral of his father
Vinayagamoorthy. He was given security escort.The LTTE organ "Tamil Guardian"
acknowledged this in an editorial last week.
The Tamil National Force led by Karuna is not ready to take on the LTTE in direct
combat but it is capable of and has been inflicting great damage through hit and
run tactics and ambushes. The LTTE as announced by Thamilselvan,
Ilanthiraiyan, Elilan, Anton Balasingham and its various media organs has
"officially" withdrawn its political cadres from the littoral areas controlled by the
Government troops. This move according to the "Tamil Guardian" was aimed at
reducing the bloodshed.
Even if the LTTE withdrew its "visible" political cadres its "invisible" killer squads
and intelligence operatives remain striking whenever possible. Their victims are
usually people suspected of helping or being members of the Karuna group or
members of the EPDP or those who belonged to non - tiger groups earlier. This
assassination spree is much less when compared to the earlier days. But this
killing spree has saddened and angered the Eastern Tamil people considerably
as they perceive the whole exercise not as "intra -tiger warfare" but as "fratricidal
bloodshed among Eastern Tamils".Most northern cadres are withdrawn and do not
get victimised. This violence is a major reason alienating the tigers from the
people. Conscription of children also goes on.
Military observers have seen a distinct difference in the operations conducted by
the Karuna led Tamil National Force. It too has withdrawn many of its operatives
from the town areas to the Jungles and jungle adjacent villages. But in a change
of strategy the Karuna cadres have now focussed attacks on known LTTE cadres
in their home territory. There have been several attacks in recent times like
Aayithiyamalai, Verugal, Pendugalsenai, Karadiyanaaru, Kanchirankudah,
Vavunatheevu, Kannankudah etc. Furthermore another 40 TNA men have moved
into Trincomalee district and are holed up in the Eechilampathai division.
So immense is the Karuna threat that the LTTE travels around even in areas
under their control in large contingents. The big shots in the military wing like
Ram, Janarthan, Ramanan, etc are not easily accessible. Even the political wing
cadres keep a low profile. There is a joke going around in Batticaloa about LTTE
offices. There are three guys in each office during day. The No One will be a tiger
without a limb. No Two will be a boy in late teens who will make tea and keep the
office tidy. No Three will be a boy in late teens who will buy provisions and meals
and run errands. No other tigers will be visible. At nighttime the office will be
deserted.
A clear example of the prevailing state of affairs in Batticaloa was seen in the
"Thesiya Eluchchi" or National upsurge conference held in the town last week.It
was organized by defeated Batticaloa district TNA candidate Joseph
Pararajasingham who was made national list MP later.All four Batticaloa district
TNA Parliamentarians attended in addition to LTTE political commissar
Ilanthiraiyan.No MPs from other districts were there. Over a thousand invitations
were sent to all important government servants. Since the LTTE was backing the
conclave a crowd of over 5, 000 was expected.
The Karuna faction issued a leaflet warning the people not to attend the meeting.
These leaflets were openly distributed by the security forces. The conference was
poorly attended. Very few Government servants were present.The crowd was
estimated to be only between 1200 to 1300. It consisted of some supporters of the
MP's and those brought from tiger controlled areas of the Eastern hinterland . The
crowd seemed markedly apolitical and incapable of comprehending the verbose
political lectures. Furthermore 350 Policemen and 90 STF men were stationed in
and around the venue for protection on an explicit request by the LTTE. Around
1000 security men were detailed in and around Batticaloa town that day to protect
the LTTE from Karuna.
August 11th was the birthday of slain journalist DP Sivaram. The LTTE tried to
organize a commemorative meeting for him in Batticaloa his hometown. But the
move simply did not take off for fear of Karuna among Batticaloa residents.
Attempts to stage a hartal for Lt. Col Tikkan some weeks ago also did not
succeed. Of course the LTTE could argue that Batticaloa civilans do not support
Karuna but are only terrified of possible violence. But then the same argument
could be applicable to the LTTE and its methods of terror too. Gander or Goose
sauce is sauce!
If matters in the East were not very rosy for the tigers the Karuna threat has
begun looming on the Northern horizon too.The Tamil National Force is setting up
shop slowly in Vavuniya and Mannar districts too. Some infiltration into the tiger
controlled Wanni is taking place. Three Suspected Karuna cadres were
apprehended in Kilinochchi recently. Security measures within the Wanni have
been strengthened. One aspect of the new changes is the deployment of "loyal"
Batticaloa cadres and civilian supporters at checkposts, , sentry points and in
search parties and border patrol along with Northern cadres to help identify
eastern infiltrators. A mild flutter was caused two weeks ago by the desertion of
twelve Batticaloa cadres of the Jeyanthan Brigade from the Wanni.
In this situation the LTTE realises that it is up against the wall. In a desperate
gamble it is now indirectly threatening war. It is projecting an image that the Tamil
people want war. It is advertising the fact that it is training civilians and making war
preparations. It is conveying a not so subtle message to Colombo that one way
Colombo could avert war is to hand over Karuna and his cadres to the tigers. The
so called "paramilitaries" should be disarmed so that LTTE political cadres could
do political work is the message. Hagrup Haukland echoes this better than any
canine on an HMV lrecord could have done.
Once again it is amazing to see how the pigs are flying in Batticaloa! The LTTE
that told the Government and Norway to keep away while they go in and wipe out
the "renegades" in a swift. sharp strike are now begging Oslo and Colombo to
resolve the Karuna problem in their favour. The tigers who described Karuna as a
single individual and madman are now depicting him as a formidable force. Of
course the tigers say that Karuna would be less formidable if he was not backed
by the security forces and there is much truth in that. But then this is the current
situation.
Chandrika Kumaratunga told the four co - chairs that the LTTE should give them
details of where the Karuna cadres are located for them to take action. The LTTE
continues to make accusations that Karuna cadres are housed in military camps
but will not reveal details. Even their much flaunted intelligence wing has no
information to divulge. One reason could be that there are no cadres in the
camps.The tigers even want security forces to go after Karuna or help the LTTE
go after him.
It cannot ever be forgotten that the first Tamil militant group to align itself with the
Sri Lankan armed forces and ruthlessly massacre members of other Tamil groups
was the LTTE. This they did during the Indian Army period. Thousands of Tamil
youths were killed and camps destroyed in the North - East in 1989 - 90.
Jayantha Dhanapala however has ruled out any question of the security forces
going after Karuna. Moreover the government is not obliged to go after Karuna
because his force did not exist at the time of the ceasefire. All paramilitaries in
existence at the time of the CFA were disbanded. The tigers then went on
murdering them and other unarmed political operatives. It appears that the
Government will keep aloof from the intra - tiger strife. After all the LTTE wanted
no interference in what was termed as its internal matter earlier. It is best that
Colombo follow that wisdom.
But for the LTTE it is indeed a comedown to accept the Karuna factor as
formidable reality and solicit Colombo's aid to contain that threat. The threat of
going to war to curb Karuna will not wash. If it is open war then Karuna will be
legitimised and engaged in combat. The balance of forces will be against the
LTTE and the final outcome dicey.This may not be a good risk to take.The LTTE
that did not want to even refer to Karuna by name at one stage has now reached
a level of limited acceptance. It is now admitting its inability to counter the Karuna
threat under prevailing circumstances.
When Karuna rebelled those having the long term interests of the Tamil people at
heart advised the LTTE to resolve the problem witout bloodshed and even tried to
help make peace. The cocksure tigers rejected it and unleashed violence. They
thought they were on top but a resilient Karuna is now hitting back with "help". The
LTTE will only plunge itself into further crisis if it continues to solve this issue
through violence. In the long run the Tamils will be undermined in the East. The
North - East linkage will be no more.The Jffna - Batticaloa divide will be cemented.
The only way out for the LTTE is for the tigers to swallow their arrogance and
accept the reality of Karuna. He should be recognized as a separate entity by
Colombo and Kilinochchi. Karuna and his followers should be brought in to a
separate tripartite ceasefire facilitated by Oslo. Thereafter Karuna should be
brought into the mainstream as a politico - military force and encouraged on the
path of democratic politics.The tactic of using Karuna as the "running dogs of war"
must cease.
Given the experience of all other disarmed Tamil groups at tiger hands after the
ceasefire it would be naive to expect Karuna to lay down arms. Karuna can lay
down arms only when Pirapakaran lays down arms. But a non - confrontational
mode of co - existence could be realised in the interim. For this the LTTE must
accept reality and mend fences with Karuna. If the tigers are unwilling as they are
most likely to be the Eastern fratricide will continue.Whether the LTTE or Karuna
gains the upper hand does not matter because the ultimate sufferer will be the
"Kilakkuth Thamilar" in particular and the "Thamilinam" in general