Battles
In Batticaloa: Too Early To Tell
By Chandi Sinnathurai
31 March, 2007
Countercurrents.org
Clombo
seem to have prematurely claimed victory in Kokoticholai. This Tamil
Tiger base in the East has functioned as Tiger HQ since the days of
the defected iron-fisted Karuna. Its no doubt a prized trophy –
in terms of both the psychological-effect on the Eastern Tamils and
in its sheer symbolism. But the problem is, the Government has published
only (including photographs) half the story.
We wrote else where, some
weeks ago that, the strategy of the Sri Lankan Forces was to capture
Vavunativu base of the Tigers following the fall of Vaharai and then
they would move on to Kokoticholai.
It is believed that some
strategic areas of Vavunativu has indeed fallen to the hands of the
Government forces. Once the position in Vavunativu had become shaky;
much manpower was needed to protect Kokoticholai against the domino
effect.
People in the area have indicated
that even before the Sri Lankan troops entered Kokoticholai the Tiger
cadres have withdrawn. The troops have ‘captured’ the Kokoticholai
HQ without any fighting. In other words, like Vaharai it simply ‘fell
in to their hands’.
An informed citizen observed
that, “Nobody knows where the [Tiger]cadres had gone. May be Wanni,
may be somewhere else in Thoppigala”
One important information
the Government has chosen not to divulge. And that is, the Sri Lankan
Army is yet to capture the Tamil Tiger military bases in Kokoticholai.
Hence the talk of total victory
in the East is still very premature.
It looks that the Tamil Tigers
are positioning themselves against the envisaged Government troop invasion
into the Tamil Tiger heart-land Vanni. Protecting the heartbeat of the
Defacto state at this juncture is absolutely paramount.
In the mean time, one has
to not lose sight of the human trauma. The plight of the internal refugees
(over 153,000) is appalling. Child-abduction, and forced conscription
are still a plague in the East. People there are terrified not knowing
what is going to happen next.
One has to be wise as to
not reading too much into Tiger withdrawals as weakness or defeats.
It could very well be a tactical move for all intents and purposes –
an open invitation to the enemy!
On the whole, keeping positions
intact in the heat of the battle is increasingly becoming untenable
owing to the lack of manpower. And this we are told, is the problem
on both sides.
Fr Chandi Sinnathurai is
a peasant-priest. He maintains a blog at: http://chandi.eponym.com/blog
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