Tue, 2012-11-27 02:41 — editor
By Visuwasan
This is in reference to
the Ananada Vikatan magazine “interview” of a former LTTE women wing leader,
who has now been reduced to a sex worker in Sri Lanka.
The woman has “revealed”
instances of troops raping detained women in camps including a minister without
any substantiation. The feature published in November seems significantly
times. The so-called interview was taken in Yashpanam by one Arun Iniyan,
according to Vikatan.
The fact is many
belonging to former LTTE cadre have been released. But the woman mentioned in
the interview has not been freed. Reason—the Sodia woman unit leader must be at
a rehab centre or indulging in espionage activities. For over 10 years since
1995 she had been part of the movement and detained in Jayachkuru camp. While
many women fighters have not been freed, it is surprising that a person who was
a leader, had been released.
In the interview there
is reference to an attack by Sri Lanka planes on a church in which many had
taken refuge. It is not clear how many actually died. The interviwed fighter
says she lost her mother and brother. The figure of 125 is surprisingly the
figure mentioned by Wikipedia, Actually 147 had died in the bombing. How come
125 is quoted as toll which is same as Wikipedia?
As one who has met many
former fighters, especially in rehab camps, this writer has one more question.
Those held in Menik farms were first taken to Bambai Madu, Vellikananda, Poosa
or Vellikarai. A few of the injured were taken to Anuradhapuram hospital. In
that place, it was more of an Air Force camp than an Army camp. No one claimed
being interrogated at Anuradhapura. In fact, it was more for political
prisoners. Only those against whom proceedings were completed or waiting for
punishment were there.
The prison riot seems
mor imaginary on the part of the former fighter. There are many loopholes in
the article regarding the Ananthapuram attack. The Sodha fighter claims a toll
of 700 whereas the actual figure is 525. The use of chemical weapons is a big
lie.
A secret known to the
LTTE cadre was the army adopting a box-type formation to encircle thousands of
Tigers, including chief V. Prabhakaran who had to escape desperately under the
cover of fighters led by Deepan wo sacrificed their lives. The woman shouldhave
been aware of it.
Though many are being
freed now, they are under watch by Lanka authorities. Checks are being done
before they are released and also watched to check any nefarious activities.
Many of the women fighters are close to each other. So one who had been in
Vanni for over 10 years and get respected must be quite aware how her
statements would affect fellow women. One woman had become a human bomb for the
Eelam cause. Was the woman least concerned about the damage she had done to
Tamils’ cause by her alleged revelations? The incidents of mass rape hardly
does anything to evoke sympathy for the women cadre. If she was genuine, she
would certainly know.
But a film-like script
with an imaginary story will have caused damage to the character of thousands
of women fighters still alive. But the magazine seems least concerned about the
negative impact of the story, high on emotions but low on facts.
-
Asian Tribune -
