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| Wednesday, 2 March 2005 |
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Enjoying a great deal of sympathy within Tamil community, says STF chief: Karuna group a strong opposition to the LTTE in Ampara and a force to reckon with The Karuna group has become a strong opposition to the LTTE and is enjoying a great deal of sympathy and support of the Tamil community in the Ampara district. It has become a force to reckon with a fact that the LTTE is not prepared to accept. This was stated by Deputy Inspector General of Police, Commandant of the Special Task Force, Nimal Lewke last evening. DIG Lewke, Commandant of the STF in a statement on the shooting incident in Tirukkovil in Ampara district on February 28 critically wounding a senior female political official and her two colleagues of the LTTE categorically denies STF involvement in any form relating to this incident as charged by the LTTE immediately after the incident. "In the backdrop of this situation, LTTE has hurriedly tried to make amends and to conceal their weakness by bringing out an allegation which sends out a wrong signal due to the fear of exposing their predicament and also to make people believe not to accept the fact that Karuna group has become a formidable force", DIG Lewke said in his statement. The full text of the statement: "In the aftermath of the incident, which took place in Tirukovil in Ampara District on 28.02.2005, critically wounding a senior female political official and her two colleagues of the LTTE, the LTTE spared no time in voicing their concern, linking the Armed Forces of the active collusion. "Whilst the Special Task Force being the premier enforcement authority, responsible for the Ampara District, the STF categorically denies its involvement in any form relating to this incident. "It is noted that Tirukovil in Ampara District is a predominantly Tamil area. It is also an understood fact that all parties involved in the conflictual situation are familiar with the geography, the ground situation of the area and also are known to each other. Especially the three wheeler driver who has figured in this incident will be able to give a first hand account or could even go up to the extent of identifying the perpetrators connected to this shooting. The independent version of the three wheeler driver will definitely enable the authorities to get to the bottom of this whole episode. Another significant factor is that Thambattai, the area in question, is approximately about 7 kms. of the Tirukovil detachment of the Special Task Force and not in close proximity to the East. "It is also evident that the Karuna group, who has become a strong opposition to the LTTE, is enjoying a great deal of sympathy and support within the Tamil community of the area and has also become a force to reckon with, a fact that the LTTE is not prepared to accept. "In the backdrop of this situation, LTTE has hurriedly tried to make amends and to conceal their weakness by bringing out an allegation which sends out a wrong signal due to the fear of exposing their predicament and also to make believe not to accept the fact that Karuna group has become a formidable opponent. It is widely acclaimed that there had been incidents of similar nature on numerous occasions in the cleared areas as well as within the uncleared areas, involving innocent civilians. It is also a common knowledge that the present crisis between Prabarakan and Karuna faction has led to crisis proportions, dampening the superior authority status enjoyed by the LTTE in this area. Furthermore, the LTTE has lost its popular support bases which is having a deteriorating effect on their cadres, who have opted to desert their ranks due to the prevailing situation. Incidents which have taken place during the past, sends a clear message of the weakness of the LTTE and it is no surprise that the LTTE is resorting to issue statements with distorted, baseless and malicious allegations, with a view to take damage control measures. The Special Task Force has always acted with impartiality, with lot of restraint and even has responded strongly to situations, when it has been necessary, to keep the peace process alive. One glaring example is that on 19.10.2004 when the LTTE prominent cadre identified as Jude was killed by Karuna group, the STF promptly responded to the situation, opening fire and killing the Karuna loyalist who was responsible for the shooting, identified as Wijayaraja Jayadeepan. This is one of the many incidents which clearly signifies that the Security Forces has not taken any sides. |
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