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Trincomalee: Fear is the key

Although the government celebrated the first anniversary of its ceasefire agreement with the LTTE yesterday, the benefits of the relative peace is yet to reach many parts of the war-affected North and East. Trincomalee is one such area where people are uncertain about their future.

The positive aspects of the peace process have been negated by forced recruitment, abduction and extortion by the LTTE, besides its attempts to bring even government-controlled areas under its jurisdiction and illegal tax regime. Yet, none dares to speak out against the LTTE.

Police officers say the LTTE has its cadres in every nook and corner of the area. "Everyone thinks every other person as an LTTE agent. This is the situation here," one police officer said.

People here appear to be having little faith in the peace process. One of the reasons is that they are confused about the LTTE's stance of talking peace with the government while forcing schoolchildren to join in demonstrations to protest against the Government for its alleged failure to fulfil promises given at peace talks.

On Thursday in Trincomalee, pro-LTTE groups assembled more than five hundred schoolgirls at St. Joseph's College premises to protest against the police and military action in Manipay in dispersing an unruly mob that gathered there after troops refused permission for LTTE women cadres to enter government-controlled areas with their web belts.

The schoolgirls were asked to wear black belts around their waist as a show of defiance and carry anti-government placards. They began to go in a procession but police at the school gate stopped them from proceeding as they did not obtain permission. Parents were heard murmuring that the LTTE was trying to spoil the lives of schoolchildren by getting them involved in political activities.

A mother who wanted to remain anonymous said: "The LTTE is making school children cat's paw to win its demands from the Government. We as parents are helpless," she said.

Tension that erupted a few days ago in Trincomalee still prevails. They pray and hope that the situation should not get worse because of certain LTTE action.

Mohamed Uvais, a shop owner, said hartals and protests in the town had become a common feature. "I have no choice but to close my shop as others comply with the LTTE order," he said.

Trincomalee Police said that there is a drop in tourist arrival to the area as a result of the tense situation. Hotels here which experienced a sudden boom during the early days of the ceasefire say their business has been affected.

Despite the assurances given by the LTTE to the government and the international community, abductions of children and unemployed youths continue.

Fish mudalali Piyadasa said LTTE cadres roamed the area in search of children. "Once they spot a child, they first go to his house and try to persuade the parents to release the child. If the parents protest, the LTTE cadres leave the house but return to abduct the child on another day. They even tried to abduct a 16-year-old boy who works for me," he said.

Recently the army arrested two LTTE girls, -- both under 16 -- who tried to abduct two school children in Trincomalee. They were produced before the Trincomalee magistrate and released.

We also met EPDP Trincomalee organiser Pushparajah at his office. He said the LTTE was levying taxes from almost all shops and traders. Even poor fishermen are not spared.

He charged that the LTTE had silenced the people with death threats. They are warned that if they complain to the police, they would be killed.

He said that the LTTE in Trincomalee even snatch vehicles but people did not go to them asking the vehicles back. Mr. Pushparajah added that he felt that the Government was helpless in this situation. Though it knows what is happening here, it appears to overlook the LTTE accesses in its efforts to save the ceasefire agreement.

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