India gets ready for 'Operation Jaffna'

By V. Jayanth

CHENNAI, MAY 24. Though Jaffna has not yet fallen, the Government of India and its Defence Ministry have worked out a detailed plan to pull out the Sri Lankan troops from the peninsula at short notice.

According to senior officials in New Delhi, the Cabinet Committee on Security has cleared the plan finalised by the Indian Air Force and Navy to assist Colombo in withdrawing its troops from the peninsula.

``The armed forces are ready and waiting for the formal request from Colombo. It can happen in a couple of days, or may drag on for a while. We expect either a military action by the LTTE that will necessitate troop evacuation, or a diplomatic initiative to effect a ceasefire and pull out the troops,'' the sources explained.

Asked whether the Centre had the clearance of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to send in Indian aircraft or Naval vessels to the peninsula, they said, ``we will not get into the act without making sure of the safety of our aircraft or ships and the personnel involved.''

It appears the LTTE's London office has been working on these plans for some time. Both Norway and India are now involved in putting together a start-off for the resumption of talks between Colombo and the LTTE.

The sources said, ``it is for Sri Lanka to firm up its stand and make the formal request for any humanitarian help and we are ready to swing into action. We understand that Colombo prefers an immediate ceasefire so that other modalities can be worked out through negotiations. But the LTTE may be firm on taking control of Jaffna before any cessation of hostilities.''

They said the LTTE's condition for the withdrawal of troops was that they leave behind arms and ammunition. The Tigers may be willing to let Colombo keep control of Palaly and Kankesanthurai so that the supply lines to the peninsula are not disrupted. But all this would have to be agreed to in the proposed joint diplomatic initiative.

Defence analysts, familiar with the LTTE operations, noted a significant change in tactics this time. ``They have perhaps consciously refrained from damaging the Palaly air strip and the Kankesanthurai port, though they have shown their capacity to strike those targets. Obviously, they do not want to be burdened with 25,000 soldiers by capturing the entire peninsula now,'' they explained.

Officials said the recent visits by top Sri Lankan military officials and the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs to Puttaparthi, provided an occasion for a fairly detailed exchange of views. They gave the impression that the troops could hold on to Jaffna for some more time, but it was difficult for a link-up from Palaly to Jaffna town.

Colombo's main thrust now was to effect a ceasefire and work for a resumption of talks with the LTTE. It was planning to secure the backing of not just Norway and India, but the U.S. and the European Union as well, to exert enough pressure on the rebels and bring them to the negotiating table.

Defence and police sources said surveillance and security along the coast were being strengthened. The recent naval exercise and the continuing vigil by the Navy and Coast Guard, along with Tamil Nadu's Coastal Security, could be geared to contain the inflow of refugees and prevent infiltration of militants.

The thinking in New Delhi was apparently to stem the flow of refugees and make whatever assistance needed in Jaffna itself at an appropriate time. One message was clear - both LTTE and non- LTTE militants were not welcome in Tamil Nadu.

They were happy that there was no public upsurge or political fallout in Tamil Nadu so far. ``The main difference now is that the Sri Lankan troops are on the defensive and the LTTE holds the upper hand. There is no genocide taking place and the civilians are generally not being targeted. If this trend continues, we expect no backlash in Tamil Nadu,'' police said.

Sri Lanka was still hoping to avoid any ``evacuation'' of troops, though it was prepared for a ``phased pullout'' as part of an understanding. India was waiting for the formal request, which was expected either when Jaffna falls or a ceasefire effected.

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