|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 30 May 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Security |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Tiger chief gets taste of his own medicine by Rashomi Silva In a strange twist of fate, Tiger chief V. Prabhakaran was getting a taste of his own medicine when his comrade turned foe V. Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman tried on him, the 'hit and run' guerrilla tactics taught by the Tiger supremo himself. Recent developments in the East indicated that the Karuna faction was determined to fight back though they retreated in the battle in April. The Karuna faction went underground after their withdrawal but apparently the dissident group is now surfacing. Cadres from both factions were killed and many were seriously wounded during the past few weeks. Last Thursday, the Karuna faction killed at least nine LTTE cardres in Inamale and Eravur in the Batticaloa district. The attacks had taken the LTTE by surprise. Two dead cadres were said to be from the LTTE intelligence unit. Meanwhile, Eastern military sources said that anarchy reigns in the entire East with cadres (of Praba faction) suspecting their own comrades as well as ordinary civilians. "Cadres fighting their own is totally different from cadres battling the Army. Civilians are confused and dumbfounded. Cadres of both sides are scared. The LTTE have to stick to their stations and camps, if they move they are sure to get hit from behind. Even the communication seems to be in disarray," a Batticaloa military source disclosed on the condition of anonymity. The LTTE leadership seems to have serious misgivings over their own cardres in the East and appears to have doubts about the loyalty of their Batticaloa leader Ramesh 'Sunday Observer' learns through reliable sources. Prabhakaran has recently ordered an investigation into the behaviour of Ramesh. Reliable sources said the entire East, particulary the uncleared territory, was now swarming with agents of Pottu Amman, the LTTE intelligence chief, to spy on the LTTE cadres. In the wake of the continuing serious security related incidents in the East, President Chandrika Kumaratunga last Monday appointed Army Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Shantha Kottegoda as the overall Commander of security forces in the East with immediate effect. Recently there had been an alarming increase in killings of members of security forces, Police, civilians and LTTE cardres. The appointment was made in the wake of this violent atmosphere, the Army web site announced. "Most of the LTTE killings were attributed to the clashes within the LTTE", the Army web site said. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
