|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 7 March 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Security |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
East tense as LTTE deposes Karuna by Ananth Palakidnar The security forces in the North-East were on high alert yesterday for possible clashes among rival LTTE groups in the East in the wake of Kilinochchi's summary dismissal from office of renegade Eastern Tiger chief V. Muralitharan alias Colonel Karuna Amman. Meanwhile, the office of the President yesterday affirmed the country's commitment to the cease-fire Agreement signed with the LTTE leadership, while the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission also said that it was heightened alert to avert any 'untoward incidents' in the North-East. LTTE Political Wing leader S.P. Thamilselvan announced at a hurriedly convened news briefing in Kilinochchi yesterday morning that Eastern Tiger commander Karuna had been removed from his post. In a series of new appointments, the Tiger high command has appointed T. Ramesh as the 'Special Commander' of the Batticaloa-Amparai region (the LTTE's nomenclature for their eastern region) in place of Karuna, while Kaushalyan has been appointed as the Political Wing leader. Ram and Prabha have been appointed as the deputies of Ramesh in the military wing. Thamilselvan also told the news conference that the LTTE remained committed to the peace process and cease-fire. He also denied reports of clashes between cadres loyal to Prabhakaran and Karuna. While most foreign correspondents attended yesterday's news briefing, many of the main TV stations camera crews were not present. Meanwhile, residents in the Eastern Province remained tense over the on-going confrontation between Karuna and the LTTE overall leadership in Kilinochchi. Reports from the East indicated that some units of cadres loyal to Tiger supreme leader V. Prabhakaran were hurriedly withdrawing northwards. A report that bodies of several cadres found shot were not confirmed. Other reports said that due to the disarray, certain Eelam Police stations and Eelam courts in the LTTE-controlled areas of the East were closed. Military sources said that all units in the North-East were on high alert for any fall-out from the LTTE rift. Muslim community leaders in the East also expressed worry that the ensuing disorder could result in communal tensions. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
