Naxalites and Tigers revive links
M Rama Rao
INDIA: The People’s War Group of Naxalites based in Andhra Pradesh is
increasingly turning to the LTTE once again in what experts view as
mutual interest.
While the Naxalites are interested in learning from the Tigers the
techniques of training child soldiers and flying unmanned aircraft, the
LTTE is desperately in need of a sanctuary and support system after it
suffered reverses at the hands of Sri Lankan army in the Eastern
province during the past two months.
This convergence of interests has resulted in a fillip to Naxal
presence in southern Tamil Nadu districts like Theni, Tirunelveli,
Thuthookudi and Ramanathapuram. Traditionally, Naxalites are confined to
Dharmapuri, Vellore, and the northern districts of Tamil Nadu bordering
Andhra Pradesh.
The Periyakulum forests of Theni district has become the new home for
Naxal training camps, officials on the Naxal trial said.
The southern Tamil Nadu districts are believed to have strong
sympathy for the LTTE, which has led security agencies to suspect a
renewed nexus between the Naxals and the LTTE.
The ties between these two extremist groups date back to the time
Tamil Nadu Communist Party- Marxist-Leninist was formed in 1984-85. Its
military wing, the Tamil Nadu Liberation Army (TNLA), had close ties
with the LTTE and indulged in several bomb blasts and looting of
weapons.
By mid 1990s however the police managed to eliminate some of its
senior leaders and the resultant leadership crippled them. More over the
TNLA was proscribed under POTA on July 2, 2002.
Experts here believe a new context for the revival of the old
linkages might have been provided by some recent developments. Firstly,
the technical capability of the LTTE could be a compelling factor behind
the Naxals choosing to align with them to intensify their armed struggle
against the state.
In particular, the recent measure by the government to use aerial
surveillance in the forest regions of Chhattisgarh could have prompted
the Naxals to seek training from the LTTE which to date is the only
terrorist outfit in the world that has such a capability.
The Tigers are known to have unmanned aircraft, small planes and
helicopters at Wanni hideout besides a functional airstrip. The Tigers
have also conducted a spectacular air attack on an air base near Colombo
airport recently.
Although the Government of India has recalled the two unmanned aerial
vehicles deployed in Chhattisgarh, the very fact that the government is
deploying the aerial vehicles delivered a strong warning to the Naxals
of possible aerial attacks on their camps in the future, says Devyani
Srivastava of the Delhi based Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, a
private think-tank.
According to her a second strong motivating factor for the Naxals to
cozy up to the LTTE could be their increasing use of child soldiers.
There is evidence to show that Naxalites particularly in Orissa and
adjoining Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh areas are expanding the Bal
Militia Wing.
Recently, some 10-12 children were found distributing leaflets with
the Naxals in Kisinda village, Sambalpur, Orissa.
Given that the LTTE is notorious for its extensive use of child
soldiers as part of their strategy, it is possible that the Naxals would
seek their training in the mobilization, recruitment and use child
soldiers in their struggle against the state.
The LTTE, for its part, has equally strong reasons for befriending
the Naxals in India. It has suffered serious reverses in Sri Lanka over
the past few months culminating in its eviction form the east.
Asian Tribune
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