Priority for civilian safety

In the euphoria of the capture of Kilinochchi, the lighting of crackers, hoisting the National Flag and partaking of kiribath, what is tended to be overlooked is the plight of civilians held captive by the LTTE.

These hapless civilians can go out of the radar in the midst of the jubilation and celebrations over the stupendous deeds by our heroic forces. This no doubt is a natural reaction but it is also an appropriate time to shift our focus on the civilian population in the Vanni. That is why President Mahinda Rajapaksa was quick to inject a note of moderation and circumspection in his address to the nation in the first flush of victory.

President Rajapaksa took pains to explain that the victory was indeed a victory of all communities and not one of the South over North. By this statement he has shown that he has not abandoned the civilian population but on the contrary was trying to bring them into the equation. This also should be the mindset of all who celebrate the fall of the Tiger citadel, for the ultimate goal is the coming together of all communities.

Inherent in the President’s statement is his earnest wish and desire to liberate the innocent civilians from the grip of the LTTE and unite them with the rest of the community in a single bond under one banner.

The President since the outbreak of Eelam War 4 from Mavil Aru has always laid a premium on civilian safety, for he is well aware of their plight living under the gun of a ruthless terror outfit who would not spare a thought for their lives. He had specifically given instructions to the military to hold back their fire if civilians were endangered.

Hence the concern of the President on the fate of the civilians after the worst humiliation inflicted on the Tigers is understandable.

According reports the fleeing Tigers have forcibly taken away with them the civilians who lived under their control in Kilinochchi to Mullaithivu which is going to be the next theatre of action as the forces move for the final kill.

These reports say some 200,000 civilians have been thus evicted by the LTTE to Vishwamadu where the LTTE leader is believed to be in hiding, to be used as human shield against the forces’ onslaught.

After taking pains to avoid civilian casualties in what was aptly termed a ‘humanitarian operation’ the President is naturally concerned of the safety of these civilians who no doubt is going to be put through worse trials and trauma in the coming days by a mortally wounded tiger.

That is why he has warned the organisation it would face a ban if it continues to deny Tamil civilians their freedom and human rights. In a telephone interview with N. Ram of the Hindu the President expressed his satisfaction that his ‘Zero Casualty Policy’ was implemented perfectly by the Armed Forced during the Kilinochchi liberation.

The safety of civilians had always been the priority of the President at all times in the current operations. Hence his stern warning to the LTTE to go for the extreme measure of banning the organisation as it holds civilians hostage.

The concern for the plight of the civilians by the President is such that he has facilitated the fleeing civilians to enter the Government areas even though some of them could well be LTTEers. This is in addition to the steady stream of essential supplies dispatched to the North with the full knowledge that these are being appropriated by the LTTE.

The ball is now firmly in the LTTE’s court. They either release the civilians they are holding hostage or be exposed as the worst violators of the Human Rights of the very people whom they claim to represent.

In this scenario the silence maintained by those human rights busybodies are revealing indeed. They who are quick to pounce on the Government for perceived HR violations are today mum when the LTTE is poised to endanger the lives of over 200,000 civilians, not to mention the recent drafting of some 8000 GCE (O/L) students to replenish their killer machine.

Where are those NGOs who hold demonstrations against Government infringements, at the drop of a hat?. We are yet to see a demo by these Pro-Western Human Rights groups cum NGOs against the slaughter of innocent civilians in Gaza by a virulent aggressor.

It is hoped that the LTTE who professes to be the true liberators the Tamils at least now heed the call of the President and release the civilians held under them. It is unfair and unjust to sacrifice these innocents in a losing battle.