• Disappeared
• Deaths
• Torture
• Disabled
• Arrested
• Mentally Affected

1. Background

While the military reprisals were carried out mainly by the Sri Lankan military, between the years of 1987-1990, Indian military also played its role in committing violence against the Tamil people. Indian military (IPKF) was invited by the Sri Lankan government to implement an accord signed by the two governments. In addition Sinhala thugs armed by the Sri Lankan military also perpetrated violence against Tamil people. Many Tamil armed groups formed to wage the struggle of liberation turned on the Tamil people when the Indian and Sri Lankan military managed to buy their loyalty. LTTE too had a role in committing human rights violations against Tamil civilians as it tried to contain Tamil elements that have chosen to work with the Indian and the Sri Lankan militaries.

The statistics presented here covers attacks by all of these groups. People of Northeast have paid an immense price to wage the struggle for self determination right. Yet, these statistics tell only part of the story. These statistics do not cover loss of property, multiple displacement, loss of education, loss of earning, destruction of cultural, economic, and community life of people and above all the persistent fear with which they had lived under the shadow of occupying military that has committed such brutal attacks on them.