The political situation in Sri Lanka is worsening day by day, with Government and LTTE embroiled in a civil war that shows no signs to cease. The condition of the citizens is appalling because they do not know of what will happen next.
With roads and highways on strict vigil, life has worsened for the people, particularly those residing in and around Jaffna. Life begins after dawn and sets before dusk. The people lament that they are living in a curfew like situation. Amidst all this, the security forces have to be on their toes every moment, because the Tigers can trigger any calamity.
Tamil tigers have been waging a war for 25 scary years on the land to carve out Jaffna from the map of Sri Lanka, for they claim Jaffna to be their homeland. No ceasefire or any kinds of meetings reach a peaceful end. The war has claimed more than 4800 lives including civilians, defense personnel, administrators and fighters since December 2005.
With the situation showing no signs of virtual peace, the military has been instructed to eliminate the rebel leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran, and eradicate his organization once and for all. Prabhakaran has been the leading light for the tigers in the dark. He has amassed a large rebel Tiger force, which is ever- ready to die at his behest. The tigers, today possess weapons of mass destruction that they showcased in recent attacks of air raids with modified two-seater propeller planes.
Mass abductions, murders, assassinations, rapes rule the roost in Jaffna and have seen a sprawl in recent times. Even the Human Rights Commission, a government agency, acknowledges it. It received 805 complaints of abductions in Jaffna from December 2005 to April 2007.
Jaffna appears a ghost town today, with many people fleeing their homes to live and save their families from the unresisting violence.
Atrocities by the army are no less. Innocents are picked up for enquiry, most of who never return back. Their families have no idea as to why were their members picked and whether they would ever return.
Maj. Gen. G. A. Chandrasiri expects a major political storm due for August monsoon on the land.
Jaffna looks a pity picture, remains of a flourishing landscape that once was the hub of tourism. Today, the story is totally different. Even inhabitants have left the land for a secure future, thanks to the incessant war.
No immediate solution apears on the horizon and civil war looks inevitable with every passing day. Pressed by both LTTE and Government, the civilians are the most to suffer and have become refugees on their land. International agencies have offered to help the war torn land, but to no avail. Sri Lanka is in turmoil. People of the land want peace. Will the bloodshed ever cease? Whether the people will get the peace they are yearning for, only time would tell.
Via: NY Times
