STF officers’ assn. wants full probe on Hakeem’s comments

The Special Task Force Police Inspectors Association has requested President Mahinda Rajapaksa to carry out a full investigation into the motives behind the comments made by SLMC leader Rauf Hakeem accusing the STF for the Pottuvil massacre in which 10 Muslim civilians were killed.

The association has written to President Rajapaksa calling for the probe saying that the comments made by Mr. Hakeem had affected the morale of the STF personnel and that its members were worried that the image of the STF had been tarnished.

It said the baseless and politically motivated allegations made by Mr. Hakeem had disturbed the officers and it protested against the transfer of the commanding officer Chief Inspector S.N.Gunaratne of the Shasthraveli camp.

In their letter signed by the Association President Chief Inspector M.G.S.K. Muruthettuwagama and Secretary Chief Inspector M. Sumanawardana the members have set out the background about the security situation in the area as well as the racket in illicitly felling timber in which the residents were involved.

The letter said the massacre was carried out by the LTTE, but Mr. Hakeem had made public statements to the effect that the STF was involved in the massacre thereby inciting Muslims in the area.

It recalled that it was on the orders of the President that the STF embarked on an operation to crack down on illicit timber fellers in the Pottuvil area in Ampara district in close proximity to the Panama, Lahugala and Arugam Bay camps.

“Since launching the operation from April to the date of the incident we have taken into custody from Radella and adjacent areas, as many as 104 illicit timber transporters, (8 Sinhala, 2 Tamil and 94 Muslim) and seized 86 bullock carts, 2 hand tractors and a lorry and produced them before Wild Life officials for necessary legal action. Up to September 18 twenty two Muslims engaged in illicit felling and 23 bullock carts were taken into custody by the STF and handed over to the Wild Life officer in Pottuvil”, the letter said.

“The attempts made by some illegal timber fellers who are hand-in-glove with LTTE terrorists who have political backing go to prove that the illicit timber fellers of Pottuvil were disenchanted with the STF which launched its drive to arrest the offenders”, the letter said.

“At the instigation of Mr. Hakeem who made public protests against the STF his supporters carried out attacks on the STF. One officer was seriously injured in this incident while four others received injuries needing admission to hospital in Colombo. Four Muslims were injured but the number was blown up to 14 resulting in Muslims being incited against the STF. Chief Inspector Gunaratne and another officer were in Arugam Bay at the time and hence had no connection with the Ulla incident”, it said.

The letter said that due to the incident at Pottuvil and due to pressure from Muslim leaders Chief Inspector Gunaratne was transferred to Colombo.

Mr. Hakeem has been provided with security via the STF since October 2000 both in the East and in other areas, the letter said.

“It is a known fact by the public and police alike, that Mr. Hakeem goes daily to the Bambalapitiya police grounds for morning exercises sans any security. This is the same playground used by our men. If LTTE cadres taking advantage of the current stance of Mr. Hakeem, launch an attack, the blame will come on us. So we believe that Mr. Hakeem should not take part in morning exercises here until inquiries into the present issue are over”, the letter said.