The Hindu : Curfew in Sri Lankan village after Tamils, Muslims clash

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 19, 2003

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International

Curfew in Sri Lankan village after Tamils, Muslims clash

By V.S. Sambandan

MUTTUR (Sri Lanka) APRIL 18. Thousands of Muslims are reportedly fleeing this eastern village after renewed Tamil-Muslim clashes killed at least three persons and injured eight, including a few Tamils, last night.

Muslims were reportedly killed when they were attacked by ``Tamil mobs'' as they were crossing through a Tamil-majority village last night, villagers said.

Rauff Hakeem, leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, said "at least 5,000 Muslims left since yesterday'' and hoped it was not another attempt at ethnic cleansing by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Eastern Sri Lanka, particularly its volatile sandwiches of Tamil and Muslim villages, remains the weakest spot in peace building. Now, just ahead of another round of talks, the ominous troubles are back. Police have imposed curfew in the village.

Good Friday for the residents in this Muslim village in Trincomalee district was marked by high drama. The hostility was there for all to see. Even as the Sri Lankan Defence Minister, Tilak Marapane, and top officials were holding talks with Mr. Hakeem inside an army camp, mobs of angry Tamils thronged its perimeters and hurled abuses. Deep mutual mistrust has plagued relations between these two Tamil-speaking communities.

A few gunshots and then a blast sent Muslims scurrying. Army sources later told The Hindu that those were "warning shots'' to check the mobs.

Frayed Muslim youth were convinced that "it is from the Tamil side". "The Tigers are there,'' cried out one.

A few paces away, unruffled soldiers stood vigil as journalists moved forward to take the closest possible look. Across, one could see them.

Armed with clubs and axes, Tamil youth, in large numbers, were shouting obscenities, daring the Muslims to come across, and worse, threatening them that their days could be numbered. In a telltale LTTE modus operandi, one young man was seen video-taping the proceedings.

As these high moments were being played out outside the army camp, within its confines, the Defence Minister assured Mr. Hakeem of all steps to ensure the security of Muslims.

Later, inside the army camp, Mr. Hakeem, who is also the Minister for Muslim Religious Affairs, blamed both the Government and the LTTE for not maintaining law and order. The security of Muslims, he said, was a matter of serious concern and the present situation was a "serious threat to the peace process''.

Citing "security reasons'', journalists were dissuaded from crossing over to get views from the Tamil crowds, but Mr. Hakeem gave an indication of the concerns. The Tigers "allege there is militancy on the Muslim side and they want to interrogate. This is not their job. This must be left to the Government. The LTTE cannot come and start inquiries in these areas'', he said.

``Our confidence is getting eroded day by day,'' Mr. Hakeem was saying as a staccato of gunfire burst out again outside the army camp. "It's rebel fire,'' an army officer said, as he walked up, giving commands to secure the premises filled with journalists and Muslim parliamentarians. An armoured personnel carrier quickly blocked the gate. Further gunshots rang out. "It is difficult to make out who is firing at whom,'' a member of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission said.

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