The Peacekeepers in Sri Lanka

I write in response to Hoole’s article. Instead of appreciating the role of and the difficult conditions under which the Indian Peace Keeping Forces are operating in Sri Lanka and the great restraint they have displayed in the face of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s provocations, Hoole makes unfounded, general and malicious charges. If he had provided specific names, locations and other connected details, the authorities could have conducted an inquiry in the instances he has mentioned. In the absence of these details, no inquiries can be made.

In cases where specific allegations have been reported, these have been examined and, where necessary, corrective action has been taken. Only in five cases such allegations could be established. Instant punishments were meted out in each case. The Indian Army has a tradition and a reputation for being a highly professional force.

Hoole claims that the Indo-Sri Lanka Agreement did not contain a timetable. It does. The agreement contemplates that the LTTE and other militant groups would surrender their arms within 72 hours. It provides a timetable for election to provincial councils and provides for a referendum on the question of the merger of the Eastern Province with the Northern Province.

It has not been possible to adhere to the dates contemplated in the agreement as the insurgents have reneged on every commitment they had given.

In its operations against the insurgents in October, the Indian peacekeeping forces suffered heavy casualties. This was on account of self-restraint imposed to prevent a large number of civilian casualties. Hence to argue that the Indian forces went after an “impossible quick victory” at the cost of civilian casualties, as Hoole does, is baseless and wrong.

Indian soldiers have shed their blood in Sri Lanka to uphold an agreement which represents the best opportunity to end the ethnic strife in Sri Lanka and bring the Tamil community justice and equity.

For whatever reason, the LTTE deliberately violated the agreement and unleashed violence. The IPKF commenced its operations only after IPKF personnel were attacked.

S.S. MUKHERJEE

Counselor, Press

Embassy of India

Washington, D.C.