LTTE cadre takes his life after Police assault

An unarmed LTTE cadre who was cycling from Mandur to Kaluvanchikudi hospital on 29th March was stopped on the way by Sri Lankan Police personnel. They searched the bag he was carrying, and finding a torch light asked him whether he was a Tiger. The LTTE cadre, Lt. Srinivasan (Thambirajah Navaneethan) replied in the affirmative. Thereupon, the policemen abused him in filthy language, kicked the bicycle, and began assaulting him.

Lt. Srinivasan told them that LTTE cadres were under orders not to attack Sri Lankan Policemen or Soldiers, but if they continued to attack him he has no option but to take cyanide and end his life. This he did when the policemen refused to heed his warning. LTTE head of the Political Section Thamilchelvan, has lodged a strong protest over the incident with the Sri Lanka government in a letter addressed to the Minister of State for Defence, Col. Anuruddha Ratwatta. Describing it as a gross violation of the cessation of hostilities agreement, Mr.Thamilchelvan has asked the government to ensure that such violations do not occur in the future.

Political Committee,
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam

(English translation of the LTTE statement is released by LTTE International Secretariat, 211 Katherine Road, London E6 IBU, United Kingdom. Tel / Fax: 0181 470 8593)