India needs to repeal ban on LTTE 10/23/2008 5:00:15 PM

Amidst growing political turmoil in Tamil Nadu over the conflict in Sri Lanka, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), in a rare and exclusive interview to TIMES NOW has appealed to the Indian government, in particular to the Congress President Sonia Gandhi, to repeal the ban on the Tamil Tigers.

On a reconciliatory note, the LTTE have sought recognition for their struggle, claiming that old hatchets should be buried and also in specific asking India to not consider them as an enemy anymore. The LTTE statement comes even as the Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK) has threatened to pull out from the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government if its concerns over the conditions of ethnic Tamils in Sri Lanka were not addressed.

When asked if there was any message that LTTE would like to give Sonia Gandhi and the Indian government, P Nadesan, head of the political division of the LTTE said, “At this juncture all must realise who are the true friends of India and the Indian people. And thus remove the ban on our movement and recognise us. They must also stop the military aid to Sri Lanka.”

In the meantime, LTTE has also sent out a stern message to the Sri Lankan government warning of an aggressive fight back. Citing examples from the past, the LTTE have claimed that every time the Sri Lankan Army has claimed success in wiping out the LTTE and claiming their bases, they have hit back with renewed force in no time. “Remember the Sri Lankan Army has claimed that they have largely destroyed LTTE’s strength and will soon capture Kilinochchi, the current LTTE headquarters,” said Nadesan.

When asked about the claims by the Sri Lankan Army that the LTTE has been cornered completely, Nadesan said, “For the last 30 years it has been the practice of Sri Lankan Army to issue such reports. In 1995, when the entire people of Jaffna vacated in a massive exodus, the Sri Lankan Army said 90% of the LTTE has been wiped out.”

“But within months waging a conventional war with the Sri Lankan Army we have captured Mullatheevu. Our strength was further demonstrated when we recaptured Jaffna in a few days The Sri Lankan Army claims that they have largely destroyed our strength and will soon capture Kilinochchi. But when the time is right, our military strength will be proved once again and the land we have lost will be retrieved,” said Nadesan.

Thought, LTTE has also not ruled out any possibility of future peace talks with the government of Sri Lank moderated by India government.