Conflict in Sri Lanka: Ground Realities - Tamil Nation & Beyond
Conflict in Sri Lanka: Ground Realities - Tamil Nation & Beyond
Conflict in Sri Lanka: Ground Realities - Tamil Nation & Beyond
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The type of l<strong>in</strong>k that has been forged between the <strong>Tamil</strong> peopleand the LTTE over the past three decades of conflict is one wherethe Tigers are seen as an organisation that provide protection tothe <strong>Tamil</strong>s, primarily from the security forces, and second fromthe violent sections of the S<strong>in</strong>hala and Muslim communities ofthe North East. However, this role of the LTTE could only besusta<strong>in</strong>ed as long as the <strong>Tamil</strong> population reposes its faith <strong>in</strong> therebels not only as an organisation that is lead<strong>in</strong>g them towardsa political goal (self-determ<strong>in</strong>ation <strong>in</strong> whatever form), but also asone which is equipped to deal with the vital day-to-day functionof provid<strong>in</strong>g them protection and security.The use of KarunaDur<strong>in</strong>g periods of active conflict the warr<strong>in</strong>g parties focus onneutralis<strong>in</strong>g the protective power of their opponents. But whathas happened dur<strong>in</strong>g the past, nearly four years, of the ceasefire?The state has deliberately underm<strong>in</strong>ed the sense of security of the<strong>Tamil</strong> population by creat<strong>in</strong>g and susta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g Karuna and us<strong>in</strong>ghim as a front for all types of covert action aga<strong>in</strong>st the LTTE andits civilian supporters, which <strong>in</strong>cludes assass<strong>in</strong>ation, abduction,torture and <strong>in</strong>timidation. This has led to a pervasive feel<strong>in</strong>gof fear and uncerta<strong>in</strong>ty among the <strong>Tamil</strong>s of the east becauserivalry with<strong>in</strong> the <strong>Tamil</strong> community between LTTE supportersand Karuna supporters has led to the location of the ‘other’not as an external foe, but as one with<strong>in</strong>. This has had adverserepercussions on the sense of community that is vital to anypopulation <strong>in</strong> a war zone.The Muslim factorThe military has also underm<strong>in</strong>ed the <strong>Tamil</strong>s’ sense of securityby creat<strong>in</strong>g enmity between them and the Muslim population <strong>in</strong>the east. The ceasefire saw a number of <strong>in</strong>cidents where enmityflared up between <strong>Tamil</strong>s and Muslims <strong>in</strong> areas where theMuslims were numerically preponderant <strong>in</strong> the three districtsof the east. Not only did it create suspicion and enmity betweenneighbours, but it forced the <strong>Tamil</strong>s to question how well theLTTE could undertake the function of protect<strong>in</strong>g them. <strong>Tamil</strong>-Muslim agitation also promoted the role of the state <strong>in</strong> the volatile16