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| Sunday, 7 March 2004 |
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Eastern people, cadres 'unhappy' over Northern domination - Karuna Break-away Eastern Tiger boss Col. V. Muralitharan alias 'Karuna Amman' has sent a letter to his supreme leader, V. Prabhakaran stating what he says are the grievances of the people and LTTE cadres of the Batticaloa-Amparai region and appealing for the LTTE leader's understanding. In this letter, copy of which was obtained by the 'Sunday Observer', Karuna reaffirms his commitment to the Eelam cause to serving under Prabhakaran. The letter, in translation from the Tamil, states: "Dear Leader! I write this letter in order to point out the reasons for the present critical situation. None can forget the fact that the young cadres of Batticaloa and Amparai have rendered tremendous service and made much sacrifice in the struggle. Up to now nearly 4550 Batticaloa-Amparai cadres have sacrificed their valuable lives. Among which 2248 of fighters obeying your orders died in the Yalpanam and Vanni areas. You are fully aware that our boys underwent lots of hardship there in the Vanni. Because of our trust and confidence in you, we refrained from making any complaints. I adjusted myself to all the hardships that I experienced during my stay in Vanni. But the problems have increased. So I now must inform you of these problems and explain our position. In your appointment of officers to head 30 Thamil Eelam organizations and departments, no one is from the Batticaloa-Amparai region. The people and the cadres did not make an issue of this during the period of the war. But in the present situation they are fully conscious of this and are raising questions. We are unable to answer to various questions posed by the people. More importantly, when outside persons come here to discharge their function, there is a lot of problems and unpleasantness arising due to their lack of knowledge. These officers from outside the region cannot understand the grievances of the local people of Batticaloa-Amparai and of our local cadres. They have no knowledge of our land. There is also a lack of sensitivity. They cannot even understand the feelings of our people. So how can they do the administration here? While these administrators are moving about freely in Kilinochchi in luxury vehicles, more than 400 young men from Batticaloa-Amparai are performing guard duties in the Vanni undergoing much hardship. Is this justice and fair play? At a peaceful time like this, it is natural that our young men want to be back in their own homes along with their kith and kin rather than live in bunkers. While the peace process is in force these unfortunate youth are confined in bunkers allocated to them without any development or improvement in their situation. To be frank, none of the parents here will like to send their youngsters over there even if there is another war. Up to date we have done our best, which you are aware of. I am sincerely committed to Eelam and ready to sacrifice my life for the cause. I am ready to serve directly under you without these departmental heads and administrators coming between us. That is why I have stopped the activities of the intelligence unit. You may be annoyed, but I am reluctantly compelled to take up this matter with you, as I consider you as my leader and my God, and I trust you. I shall be failing in my duty if I did not bring to your attention the problems of our people and their feelings. If you consider the Batticaloa-Amparai cadres to be part and parcel of our Eelam movement, please allow us to discharge our duties directly under you." |
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