Indo-Lanka unity could crush terrorism

Sri Lanka achieved a significant milestone in the global battle against terrorism over one-and-a-half-years ago when its valiant Security Forces crushed the world's most ruthless terror outfit - the LTTE.

At the time, barely anyone believed that the LTTE could be crushed militarily as the Tigers seemed to be so powerful, holding on to land with sea and air power. They not only unleashed untold misery on millions of innocent civilians with indiscriminate bomb explosions targeting public places, but also assassinated the Heads of State in India and Sri Lanka.

Hence, demolishing Tiger power and vanquishing the LTTE leadership are undoubtedly a landmark achievement in the world's military history. The LTTE's separatist campaign could have possibly even destabilised the South Asian region. Thanks to the bold decisions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the immeasurable contribution by the Security Forces, the LTTE crumbled like nine pins.

As highlighted by Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris in Bangkok recently, Asian countries should co-ordinate their policies and actions to ensure that such conflicts do not endanger stability and the economic progress of the region. No country could deal with such a situation like this alone and needs regional assistance to maintain its status quo.

According to recent reports from India, certain quarters, with the help of a section of the Tamil Diaspora, are now attempting to resurrect the defunct LTTE. Media reports from India said that the LTTE is trying to regroup and, moreover, planning to launch spectacular strikes on high-profile VVIP targets such as Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Home Minister P. Chidambaram and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, who have voiced strongly against terrorism.

Quoting intelligence sources, the report added that certain ex-cadre of the LTTE, who escaped the wrath of Sri Lanka's Security Forces, were attempting to regroup in India to plan attacks on India's top political leaders, particularly when they travel in the Tamil Nadu State.

India's Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Amarjit Singh Chandhioke asserted that the Indian Government has adequate means to ban the terror outfit and cited several pro-LTTE articles and speeches delivered by its supporters in recent times.

India had listed the LTTE as a terror outfit since 1992. The ASG defended the May 14 notification extending the ban on the LTTE, claiming that the outfit has Tamil Nadu as its base and is involved in smuggling explosives and communication devices.

Considering the LTTE's previous track record of assassinating the then Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991 and President Ranasinghe Premadasa in 1993, security agencies have taken this matter seriously. Gandhi had to pay the supreme price of being a vociferous leader against terrorism as he was assassinated by an LTTE suicide bomber in the Southern state nearly two decades ago. India would never forgive the LTTE for assassinating one of its greatest sons.

As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to visit Tamil Nadu next month to attend a series of public functions, the Indian Security Forces would take no chances for any terror acts in the world's largest democracy.

Although the LTTE leaders have been vanquished and its terror machine destroyed, one cannot for a moment rule out the possibility of any desperate attempt by its few residue members, who could stage a comeback with major devastation. With Sri Lanka's firm security blanket in place with no room whatsoever for any terror acts in the island, the LTTE could come into the limelight in India.

Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, has said that the Security Forces are ready to face any challenge in the aftermath of the elimination of terrorism. Lt. Gen. Jayasuriya told the 55th anniversary of the SLA Armoured Corps Regimental Headquarters at the Rock House Camp in Modera last week, that the Sri Lanka Army is on constant alert against any resurfacing of terrorism in the country.

Sri Lanka and India should work more closely to eradicate terrorism in the South Asian region. Sri Lanka's military capability and its first-hand experience in overpowering the world's most brutal terrorist group should be combined effectively with India's military might to crush terrorism in the subcontinent forever.

It was indeed heartening to listen to India's National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon during a meeting he had with Sri Lankan media heads in New Delhi earlier this month. Menon, the former Indian High Commissioner to Colombo, has reiterated that Indian soil would never be allowed for terror acts in the future.

Menon said that India has always rejected terrorism and added that no mainstream Indian political party had supported the LTTE during the past 30 years. "Indian soil will never be allowed to be used for terror acts. India has been very firm on that score and would assure no room for terrorism," he was quoted as saying.

He said that the security of India and Sri Lanka is interconnected in most aspects. Hence, the two neighbouring countries should work more closely to ensure security in the region. If the two countries work closely with its experienced and capable security network, the revival of the LTTE would be a mere pipe dream.

The Governments of Sri Lanka and India have a greater mutual understanding in every aspect, helping in all areas while respecting each other's independence. Menon, during the interview, said that India would never interfere with Sri Lanka's internal affairs and would only extend its support in whatever areas they wish. While recommending that Sri Lanka should have its own homegrown solution for the problems of its people, Menon said that people in Tamil Nadu or elsewhere should not get unduly worried if people in the North are happy with the solutions they get.

These bold statements by Menon amply demonstrate his excellent diplomacy and statesmanship at the highest level. This attitude would certainly further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries which date back to centuries.

Indo-Lanka relations have never been on such a good footing and this is an excellent opportunity for both India and Sri Lanka to draw up a joint mechanism to crush terrorism.

As President Rajapaksa quite rightly told the UN General Assembly three years ago, terrorism in any part of the world is terrorism and should be dealt with in similar fashion.