More blood sacrifices for LTTE

THE LTTE's bestial disregard for human life has come to the fore once again through the recent Tiger-inspired carnage in Trincomalee which saw four civilians lose their lives along with a sailor. The aim in triggering the bicycle bomb, apparently, was to destabilize Trincomalee and step-up tension in the region.

The stark fact is that the Tigers would not allow anything to get in the way of their dark designs. For the LTTE, human beings are disposable material and could be put to the most inhuman uses. A case in point was the pregnant woman who figured in the attempt on the life the Army Commander.

Apparently, LTTE inhumanity does not stop with child soldiers. Even human foetuses are sacrificed on the blood-splattered altar of Eelam. Basically, nothing matters as long as the LTTE agenda is achieved. Therefore, more and more killings should not come as a surprise although the State is obliged to oppose Tiger terror tooth and nail and prevent at every turn LTTE horror.

Meanwhile, as we have often said before, the international community should get its act together and bring pressure on the Tigers to end their murderous violence. Sanctions - and very effective ones at that - should be slapped on the terror outfit because it seems to be graduating from using helpless sections, such as children, to human foetuses in its unrelenting terror campaign. These measures are essential in the name of civilization.

The international community's chief responsibility is the preservation and fostering of humanity and civilization and we would not be at cross - purposes with it by urging these measures.

Meanwhile, the State is conducting itself commendably by continuing to explore every means of pushing forward the negotiatory process, even while seeking to protect and promote the national interest. The State is certain to win the backing of the majority of the citizenry in these endeavours because the silent but moral majority is staunchly for a political settlement.

These observations raise the question of what the responsibilities of the citizenry should be in these troubled times. National security considerations should compel our citizens to cooperate willingly and fully with the law-enforcement authorities. The people are bound to face a few inconveniences in the current situation but these need to be endured in consideration of the larger public good.

One of these is intensified checking of the identity of persons and of vehicles. How else could Tiger terror be defeated?

The people could make the law enforcers' task easier by being constantly vigilant and cognizant of developments around them. Unusual activity in neighbourhoods could be reported to the nearest police stations and suspicion - rousing objects brought to the attention of the authorities.