A humanitarian tragedy of massive proportions is unfolding in the Batticaloa district of the Eastern Province. Intensive artillery shelling and aerial attacks have resulted in a massive displacement of more than 100,000 Tamil civilians living in areas controlled by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The current conflict is of a military nature but its consequences are cruelly victimising the ordinary , helpless civilians.

What is going on now is a military manouevre that is being played out in accordance with the thoughts of Mao Ze Dong. It was “chairman” Mao who described guerillas as fish swimming in an ocean of people. In classic anti - insuregency strategy the state is now draining the “water of people” out and leave the “guerilla fish” to flounder. This is what was adopted in Sampoor and Vaakarai. It is now being adopted in the areas west of the B’caloa lagoon and in the Karadiyanaaru - Kudumbimalai - Tharavaikulam region.

The current military campaign was hardly unexpected. It was easily predictable. This columnist has been saying this for a long time. An article “The continuing tragedy of Eastern Tamil civilians” written in “The Morning Leader” of January 24th provided an insight of the present crisis.Relevant excerpts are given below -

“Army Commander Sarath Fonseka has pledged that the entire east would be brought under government control by April New Year. Already there is talk of going into the Tharavai-Kudumbimalai region and the Paduvaankarai region. The LTTE complexes in Karadiyanaaru and Kokkatticholai need to be destroyed, according to military circles. A probing mission in Vavunathivu on the western shores of the lagoon were repulsed by the LTTE. Another manoeuvre into Vellavely was also foiled.

It is however a matter of time before the military onslaught begins. What happened in Sampur and Vaharai is likely to be replicated. All entry-exit points will be blocked and food supplies prevented. Constant aerial bombardment and artillery shelling would happen.

The LTTE will be hampered by the fact that return artillery firing across the lagoon would hit Tamil and Muslim civilians this side. About 70,000 civilians living in the LTTE controlled areas would be forced to disperse. The IDPs figure would swell”

The on going conflict and resultany displacement is taking place as predicted. But the civilian figures are more than double the figure of 70,000 plus mentioned by me. According to figures supplied by military sources the population figures in the five AGA divisions controlled by the LTTE were 76,000. But civilian authorities of the district place it at over 160,000. Of these at least 140,000 had fled the areas into Govt controlled areas by Saturday March 10th. The remainder apparently left on Sunday Mar 11th. Though exact figures are unavailable it seems that the LTTE controlled areas are near totally bereft of Tamil civilians. Total ethnic cleansing!

The military moves however were accompanied by prolonged artillery and MBRL barrages from fourteen camps. The 23- 3 headquarters at Weber Stadium in the heart of Batticaloa town as well as the camps at Kalladdy, Manchanthoduvaai, Vavunatheevu, Valaiiravu. Thimilatheevu, Sathurukondaan,Karutha Paalam,Kommathurai,Mayilambaaveli , Vaalaichenai paper factory, Thampitiya, Pulukunawe and Maha Oya junction A steady barrage was maintained at a stretch for 48 hours till Saturday morning. After a lull during day artillery firing began in the night and went on till Sunday evening. At least 1000 shells per day were fired on Thursday and Friday. About 700 - 800 were fired on Saturday - Sunday.

The artillery - MBRL fire was directed against all five AGA divisions under LTTE control. It is reported that all 124 villages and hamlets in these areas were hit. Houses, huts, places of worship, public buildings etc were hit. Around 50 people were injured and one died. Apart from the shelling K-firs and Mig’s bombed the Tharavai - Kudumbimalai region for four days in a row.

The fall - out from this shelling and bombing has been massive destruction, displacement and despair. According to civil administrative authorities about 162, 000 people were living in LTTE controlled areas. Of these 18, 045 had come out into GOSL areas by Wednesday March 7th. The Internally displaced persons figures for B’caloa district on March 7th were 91, 143. Of these 47, 434 were staying outside welfare camps with relatives and friends. The rest were at 58 IDP camps.

After the first two three days of conflict a massive outflow of IDP’s occurred. 30, 025 persons from 7, 846 families were displaced in the Vavunatheevu AGA division; In Vellaveli AGA div it was 41, 590 people from 10, 226 families; 23, 653 persons from 5362 families were displaced in the Eravurpattru AGA division; 25, 644 people from 6651 families were displaced in the Pattipalai AGA division; The Kiran AGA div figures were 20, 074 people from 4290 families.

This amounts to 138, 995. When added on to the earlier IDP figure of 18, 045 from these areas the number becomes a mind- boggling 157, 040.This meant more than 95% of population were displaced. An unconfirmed report states that the remaining thousands too had left over the week - end. If this is true the five AGA divisions do not have civilians. It must be emphasised that the civil administration figures are much larger than the military figures.

What is important to note however is the fact that neither the civilian nor military or for that matter the NGO’s are prepared or equipped to handle this massive IDP flood. Most temples, Churches , schools and public buildings are overflowing with the displaced.People are living under trees and on the roads. A major humanitarian tragedy is in the making. Urgent attention is required. As stated in these columns the Tamils are becoming a homeless people. A nation that wanted a homeland of its own is being deprived of its home in what is regarded as its traditional homeland.

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