Franz Fanon’s famous phrase “wretched of the earth” is quite applicable in the Sri Lanka of today to the civilian population inhabiting the northern mainland known as the “Wanni”. More than 200,000 internally displaced persons trapped in territory that was/is controlled by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are in existential terms the wretched of the Sri Lankan “Wanni” earth.
Legally, constitutionally and geographically they are people of the sovereign state of Sri Lanka entitled to full, inalienable rights. Yet these “De – Jure” citizens have for nearly two decades been denizens of a “De – Facto” administration of the “shadow” state of Tamil Eelam run by the LTTE.
What is happening now is that the Sri Lankan state is re-asserting its dominance and writ over all parts of its legitimate territory and people. The armed forces are engaged in a ferocious military campaign for the avowed objective of “liberating” the people from the clutches of the LTTE.
The tragic irony is that the people on whose behalf the current war is being waged are suffering tremendous agony and despair. Even as the military juggernaut continues to advance, civilian displacement also continues on a massive scale.
Sadly the plight of these pathetic people is ignored, overlooked or underplayed in a situation where militaristic gains and losses are given pride of place.
The “war” is not the sole narrative of what is going on in the Wanni. From a humanitarian perspective it is the sad situation of the people – most of them internally displaced – that is more important.
It is this plight faced by the wretched of the Wanni earth that this writer would be focusing on today in what is formally an inaugural column for the“Daily Mirror”.
Fighting in the northern theatre of war began in earnest last year after the conquest of the Eastern province. It began intensifying after April this year.
The armed forces have been able to wrest back all areas of the Mannar district that were under Tiger control. They have also made significant gains in Vavuniya north and the Assistant Government Agent divisions of Thunukkai and Manthai East in Mullaitivu district. Inroads have also been made into certain regions of Kilinochchi district and the Manal Aaru/Weli – Oya regions of Mullaitivu district.
The re- acquisition of areas under LTTE control has seen the people moving away. There were two major reasons.
One is that people did not want to be caught up in the line of fire as the armed forces advanced. So they moved further and further away from the zones of active conflict.
The other reason is that the LTTE also began pulling and pushing the people towards the interior into areas remaining under their military control.
As Mao Ze Dong said guerillas are like fish in an ocean of people. The LTTE “fish” did not want their “ocean” of people to dry up.
Thus we have a situation where more than 200,000 internally displaced persons are located in LTTE controlled areas east of the A – 9 highway or Jaffna – Kandy Road. Some of these people have been displaced at least seven times during the past ten months.
It has been a scenario of getting into one area considered “safe” and then getting out as the fighting escalated. They move into another comparatively “safe” area only to move out again as the war moves in.
This was the tragic tale of the Eastern Tamils living in the Muttur east, Sampoor and Eechilampatru divisions of Trincomalee district who suffered immensely. Now the Northern Tamils undergo a similar predicament.
Compounding the issue further was the fact that areas regarded as “safe havens” for many years got drastically affected as the army advanced and Tigers retreated. Palampitty, Periyamadhu, Adampan,Iluppaikkadavai, Vellankulam,Vannerikulam, Akkarayankulam,Thunukkai , Mallavi, Vannivilaankulam and now Mankulam and Kilinochchi have all been drained of its civilian population.
In recent times there have been three general lines of movement by internally displaced civilians. The major “displaced” movement has been along the Paranthan – Mullaitheevu Road. The next was along the Mankulam – Mullaitivu Road and the third along the coastal roads of Mullaitivu district.
Currently almost all IDP’s in Tiger territory are in regions to the east of the A-9 highway. While the displaced are dispersed widely, the bulk are concentrated in places like Oddusuddan, Mulliyawalai, Puthukkudiyiruppu,Viswamadhu, Tharmapuram and Kandawalai. Even the district secretariat of Kilinochchi is being re-located to Kandawalai.
Realistic population estimates suggest that there are 250,000 – 300,000 civilians living in LTTE controlled areas of Wanni.
According to situation report No 145 released by the Inter – Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Country team the IDP figures for September 18 – 25 were 147,313 for Mullaitivu district and 74,347 for Kilinochchi district respectively. These include people displaced from Mannar district and Vavuniya north who sought refuge in K’nochchi and M’Tivu.
A new development occurring now is the large – scale displacement of people from Kilinochchi town and its environs in the Karaichchi AGA division. The number of people living in Kilinochchi/Karaichi prior to on going displacement was calculated at around 45,000 – 50,000.
Thus it could be said that 85% - 90 % of the Wanni civilians are currently displaced. This figure could be 100% if and when the armed forces begin moving into areas east of the A – 9 highway.
This then is the miserable backdrop against which a human catastrophe is unfolding. Slowly and steadily the so called Tiger territory of the Wanni is becoming a region populated entirely by displaced persons.
In such a sorrowful environment it becomes the fundamental duty of the democratically elected Government to provide for the displaced people of this land to the best of its ability.
Sadly such care and concern have been conspicuously inadequate notwithstanding official explanations and arguments aimed at scoring debating points. Indeed the meticulous planning that has gone into the war effort is lamentably lacking when it comes to hmanitarian imperatives.
The government at one level claims correctly that the Wanni people are an integral part and parcel of this country and have to be liberated from LTTE tyranny. It has even recalled internal agencies and non – governmental organizations rendering humanitarian service in the Wanni saying that the Government will look after its people.
But the harsh reality has been a glaring hiatus between precept and practice. Despite its professed intentions the Government has found itself wanting in addressing the immediate needs and requirements of a people being rapidly displaced .
These problems were remedied to a great extent by the humanitarian organizations. They augmented efforts of government employees in these spheres.
In the past government efforts were effectively supplemented and even complemented by the role of International agencies and humanitarian NGO’s.
The recalling of such organizations has had a drastic effect threatening disruption of services provided to the people.
If we take the question of food the system in place was one where the Commissioner – General of Essential Services (CGES) catered to those displaced before August 2006 and the UN”s World Food Programme (WFP) looked after those displaced after August 2006.
The recent, rapid rise in numbers has increased the role and responsibility of the WFP. The relocation of UN officials away from Wanni has affected WFP functions.
Incidentally the Government peace secretariat claims on its website that the WFP and UNHCR were asked by the Government to remain in the Wanni and that the offer was rejected by the UN. There has been no official confirmation or rebuttal by the UN so far.
The food situation for Wanni IDP’s was not satisfactory even earlier. The security restrictions and delays resulted in fewer food-laden vehicles going in as opposed to basic requirements.
All WFP food convoys to the Wanni were stopped after Sep 11. This was resumed in October when 51 trucks carrying 650 metric tons of essential items went into the Wanni.
Although the UN was out of the Wanni at least seven UN officials accompanied the Kilinochchi GA led convoy which flew the UN flag. The UN officials are expected to oversee the distribution of food at four locations and return today October 4.
The government decision to allow the food convoy in is a welcome decision. The important aspect however is that adequate supply must be ensured regularly. At least 100 trucks with food and essential items need to go in every week if the IDP needs are to be addressed reasonably.
LTTE supporters and other pro – Tiger elements are conducting an international campaign saying that Tamils are starving and a famine situation exists. This is highly exaggerated and factually incorrect.
The crisis though acute has not reached such magnitude. Nevertheless there is no room for complacency. If adequate supplies are not sent into the Wanni continuously there could be a serious shortage.
However it must be noted that the current food distribution is by no means satisfactory. Though it prevents starvation which is only the bottom line, three square meals a day is impossible. There is malnutrition and undernourishment.
Rapidly shifting frontlines have resulted in rapid displacement. On many occasions it takes nearly a month for displaced people to be registered within the WFP system and be entitled for dry rations.
In such a situation various other agencies and organizations filled in. They assisted the government administrative machinery to provide cooked meals and later food rations until the CGES and WFP got into the act. With these NGO”s out of the Wanni, their input will diminish thus affecting the IDP’s.
The INGO’s and NGO’s also provided shelter materials, basic medicine and utensils etc to IDP’s. The supply of clean and safe drinking water to IDP’s was mainly provided by the INGO’s and NGO’s. They also contributed greatly in providing sanitary facilities.
Another area in which INGO’s and NGO’s help the displaced is the actual process of displacement itself. Most people do not have the money to hire vehicles and move out of an area. So humanitarian organizations step in.
With these organizations being recalled and all NGO activity ceasing the people feel the pinch. Currently in the Wanni diesel is 1000 Rupees and Petrol 2000 Rupees a litre. Kerosene is 300 Rs per litre . Transport costs are astronomical now.
In such an environment there is an urgent need for resumption of services by the INGO’s and NGO’s. Further delay coupled with the escalation in fighting can bring about a climate where the displaced civilians would be in greater jeopardy.
There is an imperative need for the non – governmental humanitarian organizations and international agencies to resume functioning from within the Wanni to ensure that IDP needs are serviced properly.
Besides, there is also another potential problem. The presence of foreign personnel in the Wanni helped to check and even contain LTTE pressures on NGO’s and INGO’s.
With their removal the Tigers could exert more pressure without restraint. A worst case scenario could be one where the food distribution itself is “influenced” at ground level by the LTTE.
The Tigers could use this to compel people to live in areas determined by the LTTE.
The Government’s reason for recalling these humanitarian organizations was to prevent harm befalling foreign personnel when fighting escalated. Since the Government is firmly resolved to capture Kilinochchi the NGO’s and their offices, buildings, personnel etc were in the line of fire.
The government also has the Muttur massacre “albatross” hanging around its neck. It did not want a situation where such an incident would recur in the Wanni also.
There is however a twist to this. The 17 ACF personnel killed in Muttur were local Tamils and Muslims. No foreigner was killed.
It can be argued therefore that local persons working in humanitarian organizations and not foreigners were “more” vulnerable.
What has happened is bizarre. The LTTE refused to allow local employees of NGO’s and INGO’s permission to leave the Wanni. Even those working for UN organizations were not allowed to take family members. This was the LTTE at its worst.
The result is that 21 Tamil UN employees remain in the Wanni as they could not abandon their families. Also more than 500 Tamil employees of INGO’s and NGO’s are in the Wanni with their families.
So in a nutshell the situation is one where the more vulnerable local humanitarian workers remain exposed to danger in the Wanni while the foreigners are all out safely. The rationale behind the Govt recall is rendered invalid.
This state of affairs is not one about which the NGO and INGO bosses can be proud of. Their vulnerable local employees have been left in the lurch.
The government too is in the dock. Their concern seems to be about foreigners rather than Sri Lankan nationals.
The need of the hour is for the humanitarian organizations and international agencies to work from within the Wanni. It is only then that the helpless civilian victims of the war in the Wanni could have their needs met with as efficiently as possible.
One possible compromise is one where these organizations are allowed to function from a particular location alone. That specific zone could be declared “safe” with both the armed services and LTTE honouring it.
Even if something could be worked out where INGO’s NGO’s and other International agencies are allowed to function from within the Wanni, that by itself would not guarantee the safety and security of the civilians.
All that the humanitarian organizations can do is to help reduce the problems to some extent. They cannot eradicate them.
What then is the best option available to alleviate the suffering and ensure safety of the civilians? Obviously it is an end to the war!
But realistically it is not possible at this point of time when both the Government and LTTE are embroiled in a “make or break” war.
Under such circumstances the second best option is for the beleaguered Wanni civilians to move out from the conflict – ridden areas to the relatively safer areas under Government control.
For this safe passage must be guaranteed through the setting up of a viable civilian corridor. Temporary ceasefires should also be declared and honoured.
The hitch (and one hell of a one at that) is the self – styled protectors and self – imposed sole representatives of the Tamil people. The LTTE will not allow the people to move out from areas under its control.
The draconian pass system will prevent people from moving out. Besides, decades of totalitarian control have conditioned the people into submission. Moreover the vast distance from Vavuniya to the areas where IDP’s are concentrated is also a deterrent.
Likewise there is some reluctance by the people in moving to Vavuniya. This is due to fear that they would be penalised as people with LTTE links. Also they would be kept in “camps” like in the cases of existing ones at Kalimoddai and Sirukkandal.
While acknowledging the fact that certain segments of the Wanni population would prefer to stay put in the Wanni rather than moving out to Government controlled areas it must also be emphasised that those desiring to leave LTTE areas should be permittedto do so.
It was this writer who first wrote in another newspaper during the first week of August about the growing IDP predicament in the Wanni and urged the LTTE publicly to allow the people to leave saying “Let my People Go”.
This column reiterates that position and appeals to the LTTE that it must grant those among the wretched of the Wanni earth who want to leave Tiger territory, an opportunity to do so.
The easiest way is for the LTTE to relax its controls and allow “exit” to those who want to move out to government areas.
The lack of care and concern displayed by this government to those civilians living in the arena of war deserves condemnation.
Likewise the callous conduct of the LTTE towards displaced Tamil civilians in the Wanni is reprehensible too.
IDP’s are entitled to the right of movement. They should be allowed to move to areas of safety if they want to do so.
While the government increases the burden on civilians in the name of security the LTTE adds to their woes in the name of liberation. The IDP’s are caught in the middle.
The UNHCR drafted guiding principles regarding IDP’s emphasise that the displaced be allowed freedom of movement. Principles 14 and 15 are particularly explicit on this aspect.
The LTTE is violating the spirit and letter of UNHCR principles by restricting movement of IDP’s.
“Let my people go” was the poignant plea made by Moses to the Egyptian Despot of yore.
That was a demand made to an alien ruler by the representative of an oppressed people.
Today the same cry “Let my people go” can be articulated on behalf of the Wanni IDP’s to the LTTE hierarchy.
Sadly the LTTE and the Wanni civilians are all of the same ethnicity. Ironically the LTTE claims to be fighting for the Tamil cause.
This then is the tragedy of the Tamils, particularly those wretched of the Wanni earth. (ENDS)
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