Colombo, Sri Lanka: Violence is the order of the day in the North-East. The people of the north and east live amidst tragedies that cause untold miseries. Within the last sixteen days, the toll of deaths has risen to 112.

There was the incident of violence in Vankalai, where a whole family was killed . Prior to that there was violence at Allaipity village where 13 people were killed. Then there was the bombing of a bus in which 64 commuters lost their lives. Such abominable acts of violence are condemnable, whoever the culprits are.

Virakesari has been consistently condemning violence irrespective of whether it be against the Tamils or Sinhalese. But the irony is that responsible parties do not seem to take appropriate steps to avert violence. The government does not appear to be concerned about the violence in the areas under its control. Instead, it is interested in pointing an accusing finger at the LTTE and in conducting a propaganda against the LTTE internationally. But there is no end to violence.

Claymore attacks take place not only in government-controlled areas but also in LTTE controlled areas. When the victims are Sinalese or security forces, the state machinery goes into action and even resorts to retaliatory attacks on LTTE targets. But the victims there too are the innocent Tamil civilians.

It is normal for warring parties to kill, between them. We appeal to the parties not to endanger the lives of civilians - the innocent Tamils, Sinhalese and Muslims - during their encounters!

An English translation of the Editorial in Sunday Virakesari , a Tamil National Weekly, based in Colombo

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