Change in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is physically, linguistically and
culturally close to the North of Sri Lanka. It is therefore only
natural for those in Tamil Nadu to be concerned over the
situation in the North, where the Security Forces are very close
to eliminating Tiger terrorists. The latter are now confined to
a very small area, which is likely to be overrun by troops any
moment.
Nevertheless, it was clear from the beginning that the
general masses, most political parties and even well known
intellectuals in Tamil Nadu were ill-informed and misled
regarding the situation in the North. Several Tamil Nadu
political parties said the Sri Lankan Government was engaged in
a genocidal war against the Tamil people in the Vanni.
All these charges have now been proved baseless. If the
Lankan Army and State are engaged in genocide, would thousands
of Tamils from Vanni come to the cleared areas seeking their
protection?
It has now been confirmed beyond any doubt that the LTTE is
holding civilians against their will in the very limited area
left to it. Several countries and international organisations
have urged the LTTE to give up this practice and let the
civilians go to cleared areas. The LTTE has once again been
exposed for what it really is - a terrorist organisation ill
treating the very community it claims to liberate.
This stark reality has now permeated the corridors of power
and streets of Tamil Nadu. Many Tamil Nadu politicians have
openly criticised the Tigers in recent weeks and urged them to
accept their fate.
Parties which were supportive of the so-called liberation
struggle launched by the LTTE have changed their stance. The
calls in Tamil Nadu for a ceasefire in the North have faded,
with many in Tamil Nadu realising that the Centre was with Sri
Lanka on the issue of eliminating terrorism.
As TULF leader V. Anandasangaree has pointed out, any moves
in Tamil Nadu against Sri Lanka and its fight against terrorism
at this stage would be counter-productive.
It would only help the LTTE, gasping for breath in a remote
corner of the North. What all right thinking Tamil Nadu
political parties and organisations must do is appeal to the
LTTE to free the civilians forcibly held by them and surrender
to the Forces at this stage.
That is the only option left for the LTTE.
In the meantime, Tamil Nadu authorities must enhance
vigilance to prevent the infiltration of Tiger cadres fleeing
the battles in the North. The authorities should ensure that
such Tigers do not receive medical aid or shelter in the State.
Strict action should be taken against those supporting the
Tigers morally or physically.
The change in the attitude towards the LTTE in Tamil Nadu
will be the final nail in the Tiger’s coffin. With Tamil Nadu
politicians abandoning support for the LTTE’s cause of
separatism, it will no longer be able to garner any sympathy
there. No one naturally wants to support a losing cause, and a
fundamentally wrong one at that.
A bumper harvest
The LTTE’s infamous closure of the Mavil Aru anicut
deprived agri water to thousands of farmers in the East. The
prospects for agriculture in the province looked grim at that
time due to the conflict. Yet, barely two years after the Mavil
Aru episode, the East is poised to reap a bumper paddy harvest,
defying all odds and expectations.
There are several factors that contributed to this revival.
The prime reason is the liberation of the entire East by
Security Forces and the inception of democracy which once again
enabled Eastern farmers to freely engage in their vocation.
Another is the successful implementation in the East of the
Government’s fertiliser subsidy, in addition to the provision of
seed paddy and modern equipment. The Government’s Eastern
Resurgence programme also integrated agriculture. The fourth and
perhaps the most important factor is the perseverance of Eastern
farmers.
Their efforts would be in vain if they cannot obtain a good
price for the paddy. Fortunately, private traders are already
queuing up to buy the paddy at rates as high as Rs.33, over and
above the prices stipulated by the Government (Rs.28 and Rs.30
for the two main varieties).
The Government has also issued a staggering Rs.500 million to
Eastern cooperatives to purchase paddy so the farmers are
assured of a good income. According to reports, harvesting has
already begun in the three districts.
The East is likely to contribute 30 per cent of the country’s
total paddy harvest this year, an incredible feat considering
the hardships faced by the farmers, not only in terms of the
conflict, but also in terms of remoteness, lack of water and
other facilities, poor transport infrastructure and the
migration of younger farmers for white collar jobs in the
cities.
They will definitely achieve a bigger harvest during the next
season if some of these issues are addressed.
There is no doubt that Northern farmers will equal or better
this record, given a chance. The Government is liberating the
North now and agriculture will be given priority as it rebuilds
the war-torn province. The agricultural potential of both these
provinces will make a very significant contribution the economy
in the years to come.
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