| SRI LANKA WATCH |
| Playing politics with Batticaloa’s human suffering
For Batticaloa’s civilians life just cannot get any worse by D. B. S. Jeyaraj in Morning Leader, 21.3.2007 Man’s inhumanity to man is transforming Mattakkalappu (Batticaloa) into a district of the displaced. Politicians like Keheliya Rambukwella try to downplay the human suffering by downsizing the actual number of displaced persons. Despite these puerile yet callously insensitive efforts there is no denying that a terrible humanitarian tragedy is unfolding in the district. The latest figures indicate that 38% of the Tamil population in Batticaloa are now displaced. The civil administration and Non - Governmental Organisations active in the district are struggling to cope with this sudden, massive influx of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). The rapid spurt in the number of IDPs in March came at a time when the civil authorities and INGOs were struggling to accommodate the people displaced in December 2006 and January 2007. Unfulfilled task Despite the best efforts of dedicated professionals and volunteers the challenge of catering to the needs of more than 150,000 helpless people remains formidable and unfulfilled. A vast crisis like this brings out at times the best in human nature. One such silver lining in the dark cloud of despair is the commendable effort of Muslim people in Kattankudi (pronounced Kaathaankudi) to provide limited succour to suffering Tamil refugees in neighbouring Manmunai Pattru or Aaraiyampathy AGA division. There have been communal clashes and resultant tensions between Muslims and Tamils in this region during the past. These have been mainly instigated by scheming politicians and armed militant groups. Yet, Kattankudi Muslims have at this time of humanitarian need engaged collectively in alleviating to some extent at least, the suffering of their Tamil brethren. An overwhelming number of Tamil civilians have fled the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) controlled areas into Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) areas in the past few weeks. Many of them have registered themselves as IDPs at the Manmunai Pattru (Aaraiyampathy) AGA division. This is adjacent to the pre- dominantly Muslim Kattankudi AGA division. Significant aspect With the district administration and functioning NGOs unable to look after the newly displaced in many respects several civilian organisations are struggling to fill the void. The significant aspect in this is that the Kattankudi Muslims are not helping their co-religionists but Tamils who are either Hindu or Christian. An emergency relief programme was initiated by the residents. The Kattankudi branch of the Federation of Mosques and Muslim Institutions along with the Kattankudy Urban Council, Kattankudy Traders Association, Kattankudy Jammiyathul Ulama, Risala Media World etc. are playing a crucial part in this effort. The local branches of national organisations like Sri Lanka Jamath-e-Islami, Caring Hands, Human Care Foundation and the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka are also assisting in this mission. Thousands of cooked meals and lunch packets have been provided to IDPs in Manumanai North by the Kattankudi residents. Plastic plates, mats, mosquito nets for infants, packets of hygiene and healthcare items etc. have also been supplied. Mobile medical clinics have been held at IDP camps. Several urgent needs as mats, infant food, medicine too have been identified and an appeal has been issued for donations. A donation campaign where every Kattankudi household is being solicited for a minimum donation of Rs.100 is now underway. The people of Kattankudi seem determined to continue with a sustained help campaign. Inspiring example So inspiring has been the Kattankudi example that S.L.M. Haniffa who heads the Eastern Province Federation of Mosques and Muslim Institutions has issued a public appeal that Muslims in other eastern areas too should emulate their Kattankudi brothers and help out with Tamil IDPs in their respective localities. Batticaloa District MP and Cabinet Minister Ameer Ali has also issued an appeal on similar lines. If more eastern Muslims respond to these appeals it would be a great humanitarian initiative illustrating the noble concept of brotherhood in Islam. It will also be a tremendous fillip to civil society peace building given the fractured state of relations between Muslims and Tamils in the east. It was only some weeks ago that friction ensued between the Tamils of Aaraiyampathy and Muslims of Kattankudi. The issue concerned settling displaced Tamils from Vaharai in lands within Muslim areas. A matter that could have been settled amicably was exploited by cadres from the breakaway Karuna faction of the Tigers who now call themselves the Tamil Makkal Viduthalaip Puligal (TMVP). The TMVP engaged in several acts of provocative violence against innocent Muslim civilians. Muslims were barred from doing business in Aaraiyampathy. TMVP fomenting regionalism The TMVP is fomenting regionalism among eastern Tamils to counter the northern hegemony of the LTTE leadership. There is also an ingrained anti-Muslim chauvinism among many Tamil leaders of the TMVP. Whipping up anti Jaffna and anti-Muslim hysteria is also a device to mobilise eastern Tamils. The TMVP is unable to exploit the ‘traditional’ anti-Sinhala cry as ‘Col.’ Karuna is now reduced to being-in the words of Chairman Mao — ‘a running dog of Sinhala imperialism.’ Against this backdrop the humanitarian efforts of Kattankudi Muslims in helping Tamil IDPs was not welcomed by the TMVP in Aaraiyampathy. In a shameful gesture the TMVP tried to block Kattankudi Muslims from helping Tamil IDPs. They were prevented from giving meals to some camps. A senior TMVP leader announced that "Tamils should not eat meals supplied by Muslims." But the needy IDPs paid little notice. The Kattankudi Muslims took the meals to some other IDP camps. Despite the despicable attempt by the TMVP to spoil things, the Kattankudi Muslims are continuing with their humanitarian efforts. The conduct of the TMVP that claims to free the Eastern Tamils from northern oppression has been disgusting during this crisis. The Karuna faction has not rendered any worthwhile assistance through the manpower it possesses. It is a stumbling block to many NGOs as the outfit demands financial allocations for itself in order to ‘look after the refugees.’ Obstacle to NGO efforts In many instances the TMVP has placed obstacles to NGO efforts. Moreover the TMVP hovers like vultures to abduct IDP children as child soldiers. Amnesty International recently drew attention to this in a statement. While the TMVP continues with its petty, racist politicking the Kattankudi Muslims continue with their good work. I sincerely hope that they and Muslims elsewhere in the east will not be deterred by the Karuna faction. Such demonstrations of inter-faith goodwill and inter-ethnic amity are sorely needed in the beleaguered east. Recently when Sufi Muslims fled Kattankudi to escape the wrath of Wahabis it was the Aaraiyampathy Tamils who gave them refuge. When the tsunami struck, people of different races and religions helped each other. Their common suffering forged a bond that was shred to pieces when the state and politicians got involved. Political leaders and self-styled liberators may say that the people of the Eastern Province and in a larger sense the people of this island cannot live together peacefully. That is not so. The ordinary people want to live together. They want to help each other. The shining example of the Kattankudi Muslims is further testimony that our human bondage transcends other artificial barriers. |
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