Topic started by VP (@ 12.40.51.195) on Thu Mar 14 06:29:02 .
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

BATTICALOA

Detained civilian runs away from LTTE custody
A civilian, who refused to pay a ransom of Rs 300,000 (US $ 3260) to the LTTE organization and was subsequently detained at an LTTE’s office in un-cleared areas in the general area of KOKKADICHOLAI, about 11 km South of BATTICALOA had managed to escape from the LTTE custody on 10 March during wee hours of the day.
The victim, ANNAMALAI RAJENDRAN of No 16, IRUTTHIYAPURAM, BATTICALOA had further stated that he received a letter from LTTE on 15 February asking him to appear at the LTTE office on March 03, 2002. After his visit to the LTTE office, he was asked to pay them Rs 300,000 or face consequences if failed to pay the sum.
Since he claimed that he had no money to pay the LTTE, he was kept under detention in their office assigning him work in their kitchen.
On 10 March 2002, the victim had however managed to escape and arrived at the BATTICALOA police station seeking security and protection.
BATTICALOA police are making inquiries.

LTTE demands money from Muslim traders
Four LTTE cadres, who had arrived in the general area of ODDAMAVADI, about 30 km Northwest of BATTICALOA town had demanded money from some Muslim traders on 12 March around 10.45 a.m.
These LTTE members had also recorded personal details of Muslim traders in the area after they refused to pay money to the LTTE.
Army detachment in the area had been informed of the incident.

Products of Muslim traders snatched
Two Muslim merchants, who arrived at the VANTHARUMOOLAI Army detachment, about 18 km Northwest of BATTICALOA town had complained that a stock of mattresses that were carried to the un-cleared areas in KANNANKUDA for sale were forcibly taken by a group of armed LTTE cadres on 12 March around 9.45 a.m.
They have further stated that they were assaulted by these armed LTTE members who came in a tractor before their products were taken.
These two Muslim merchants identified as HANEEFA (51) No 24, KAPPUADI road, KANNANKUDA and SAMITH (26) of the same address had made the complaint.

Responses:

• From: VP (@ ) on: Mon Apr 1 05:12:38
  
  * Update: LTTE breaks terms of ceasefire agreement by crossing security forces lines
  [ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka]
  
  April 01, Colombo: A group of around 200 to 300 teenaged LTTE cadres crossed security force lines in Valachchenai, breaking the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
  
  The Government Information Department said the majority of these LTTE members appeared to be newly-trained cadres in the age of group of 12 to 16 years.
  
  Some of them had been carrying light machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and multi-purpose machine guns.
  
  It said the group, in camouflaged uniforms and led by self-styled lieutenant colonel Weerasingham, defied the orders of government troops.
  
  The Information Department said further that two LTTE members surrendered to the Manthai Army Camp in Mannar on Friday. They have been handed over to the Mannar police
  
  
• From: VP (@ ) on: Mon May 6 04:49:08
  
  Sri Lankan Tamil Tiger rebels free 82-year-old captive
  Sat May 4, 1:27 AM ET
  By DILIP GANGULY, Associated Press Writer
  
  COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - Tamil Tiger rebels in Sri Lanka have freed an 82-year-old man after kidnapping him twice last month amid adverse publicity about their ransom demand, a London-based human rights group said Saturday.
  
  
  Relatives of K.V. Sithamparapillai, a retired court clerk, said the guerrillas had demanded 5.5 million rupees (dlrs 57,000) for his release, but the money wasn't paid. As a government clerk, he earned 10,000 rupees (dlrs 104) a month before retirement.
  
  Sithamparapillai was first abducted by the rebels on April 16 from Batticaloa town in eastern Sri Lanka, which is a Tamil majority area, and released a day later on the condition that he would pay the money.
  
  He was kidnapped again on April 26 after he failed to meet the guerillas' demand.
  
  "Amid considerable publicity about his abduction for ransom, Sithamparapillai was allowed to return home by the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam on Thursday," Amnesty International said in a statement made available to The Associated Press in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo.
  
  "Amnesty International understands that since he returned home, Sithamparapillai has received messages (from rebels) urging him to pay. However, under pressure from police, his bank manager is reportedly refusing to release the money from his account," the statement said.
  
  Amnesty added its concern about Sithamparapillai's safety and well-being was far from over.
  
  The Tamil Tigers have not immediately commented on Amnesty's allegation.
  
  Amnesty also urged the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam leadership "to issue a public statement clarifying its position and urging its cadres to take all necessary steps to bring an immediate halt to the taking of hostages."
  
  The human rights group said there were many reports of hostage-taking for ransom and extortion by the rebel group even after a Norway-brokered cease-fire accord with the government.
  
  The cease-fire deal, signed on Feb. 22, requires both sides to abstain from hostile acts against civilians, including abduction and extortion.
  
  The rebels have been fighting for nearly two decades for a separate homeland for Sri Lanka's minority Tamils. More than 64,500 people have been killed, and 1.6 million have been displaced by the fighting
  
  
• From: VP (@ 12.40.51.195) on: Mon May 6 04:57:42
  
  Failing the test: LTTE extortion continues unchecked
  30th April, 2002
  
  In the first explicit test of the monitoring agreement under the MOU, the Local Monitoring Committee of Batticoloa and the Norwegian authorities have bent to the will of the LTTE as a patent injustice occurs before their eyes.
  
  
  Under Article 2 of the MOU: "The parties shall in accordance with international law abstain from hostile acts against the civilian population, including such acts as torture, intimidation, abduction, extortion and harassment. "
  
  
  On April 15th, Mr. K. V. Sithamparapillai , an 82 year old person from 37 Bar Road, Thamaraikerny, Batticaloa was abducted and handed over to the LTTE in Paddiruppu. The LTTE threatened him and demanded a payment of 2.5 million rupees. After promising to pay the entire sum he was released with instructions to bring the money. His nephew had to stand for surety to secure his release. Although he was at first reluctant to approach the Local Monitoring Committee (LMC) to complain owing to both fear and pressure, he finally met some members of the LMC.
  
  
  One of the LTTE nominees in the LMC was asked to meet the LTTE to verify the veracity of the incident. On his return this member confirmed that Mr. Sithamaparapillai was indeed taken in by the LTTE and that the LTTE is insisting that the ransom of Rs. 2,500,000/- must be paid in full for his freedom.
  
  
  The LMC was powerless to deal with the problem. On the 26th of April Mr. Sithamaparapillai went to pay Rs 300,000 with an intent to asking for more time to obtain the rest of the money. However, he was again detained by the LTTE and threatened for reporting the incident of extortion to the monitoring committee.( see press)
  
  
  It is a crying shame that civilians, particularly the old and the feeble should be subject to such predatory practices. In this case an 82 year old person’s life savings is in the process of being expropriated extra-judicially under the very eyes of the international community. This troubling experience points to some of the flaws in the ceasefire agreement. We wish to submit the following observations:
  
  
  i) It seems that the MOU can be violated with impunity and the monitoring committee is powerless in defending the human rights, even when a violation clearly contravenes a provision of the agreement.
  
  ii) The LTTE continues to demand ransom even after Amnesty International released a statement regarding this specific case. This indicates that moral pressure alone is inadequate mechanism to curtail terrorizing of the civilian population.
  
  iii) Given the weight of the evidence, it is no longer adequate for LMC to wait for violations to be reported. We urge that the Norwegian monitoring team proactively investigate, particularly, the systematic violations. It is apparent that passive monitoring function by itself is inadequate to protect the civilians in the East and preventive measures must be implemented to protect the civilians from systematic violations.
  
  iv) The peace process, while providing a welcome relief to the war weary country, has also entrenched and legitimized terror politics in parts of the country, i.e., the issue of long-term internal terror and its implications for the society have been glossed over. Hence it continue to diminish whole political and social space in the community.
  
  v) If the Monitoring Committee and the international community allow this action to stand unchallenged it will undermine the credibility of all monitoring efforts and the peace process.
  
  
  We urge all international and national civil society organisations to pool their resources, not only to secure the release of Mr.Sitharamparapillai and other prisoners, but go beyond the MoU and address the human dimension of the growing tragedy.
  
  
  
  
  
  

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