Tamil Leader’s Shocking Claim: “LTTE Chief Prabhakaran is Still Alive”
Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Feb 13: In a surprising development, a Tamil leader on Monday claimed the existence of the chief of the Liberation Tigers of the Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Velupillai Prabhakaran declared dead by the Sri Lankan government in an encounter with the Sinhalese army 14 years ago.
The Tamil nationalist movement leader and former politician Pazha Nedumaran claimed on Monday that Prabhakaran was still alive and healthy and would emerge in public soon. Reading out a statement at a press conference in Thanjavur at Mullivaikkal Mutram, Nedumaran said the time was now appropriate for Prabhakaran to come out in the open in the context of the Sinhalese protest against Mahinda Rajapaksa and the international situation.
Prabhakaran, who founded the LTTE and led an extensive guerrilla campaign for a separate homeland for Lankan Tamils in the island nation, was declared dead on May 18, 2009 following an operation by Sri Lankan army at Mullivaikal. The Lankan government was then led by Mahinda Rajapaksa as President. Prabhakaran was 54 at the time.
The “discovery” of the body marked the end to the two-and-a-half-decade-long civil war. However, some Tamil nationalist hardliners doubted the government’s version and claim that Prabhakaran may still be alive, after escaping from the final battle zone in 2009.
Following the Sri Lankan government’s announcement of Prabhakaran’s death in 2009, several photographs and videos of a body were shared. Many had then claimed these were doctored. Others had alleged that the LTTE leader was shot dead in violation of international conventions when he came to surrender under a pact.
Pazha Nedumaran did not share any details about the LTTE leader’s present location. He declined to answer queries seeking proof of his claim that the LTTE leader is still alive. He maintained that “they were in touch with the LTTE leader” and would say nothing more than that.
Prabhakaran was a prime accused in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in a suicide bombing at Sriperumbudur in 1991 after which he was declared a proclaimed offender. He was also charged in some other assassination cases in Sri Lanka and LTTE was declared a banned terror organisation.
What began as a liberation movement with few other groups opposing decades of discrimination against Tamils in Sri Lanka, LTTE Chief Prabhakaran had later switched to armed struggle, known for its guerrilla warfare and suicide attacks. The LTTE became the first terror group to have an air force.
The Sri Lankan forces, on the other hand, were accused of human rights violations on a large scale. More than a lakh Lankan Tamil civilians were allegedly killed in bombings in the final phase of war against the LTTE. A UN appointed lessons learnt and reconciliation commission too had investigated this. Sri Lanka is yet to respond.
Stating that it was a pleasurable moment to declare that ‘Thamizh Desiya Thalaivar’ (Tamil Nationalist Leader) Prabhakaran was hale and healthy, Nedumaran said this announcement should put an end to the ‘rumours’ about his death. Calling upon the people of Tamil Eelam and Tamilians all over the world to extend their support to Prabhakaran, he said the LTTE leader would soon be announcing a course of action for the “dawn” and betterment of the Tamils.
The LTTE had never allowed the countries which opposed India to set foot on their land nor did it have any relationship with these countries. It did not take help from them, he said. Mr. Nedumaran exhorted the Government of India to initiate necessary steps to prevent China from firming up its presence in the island nation. He also urged the Tamil Nadu government, all political parties in Tamil Nadu, and the people of Tamil Nadu to express their support to the LTTE leader Prabhakaran at this “crucial juncture.”
