What prevents Akashi and his ilk reaching out to people in need, asks IDP activist

[TamilNet, Monday, 26 January 2009, 03:48 GMT]
"The Colombo government has claimed that its forces have captured the 'last LTTE town', Mullaiththeevu. Its Army commander has said that 95% of the war is over. Therefore the LTTE must now be powerless in controlling the movement of civilians. But the people every time demonstrate their shudder at the thought of getting into the hands of the invading army and pull themselves into pockets further and further. In such a situation it is nothing but mischief for the visiting Japanese Envoy Yasushi Akashi to talk about the LTTE using civilians as human shield and The Hindu to highlight it," said an IDP activist from Vanni.

Mr. Yasushi Akashi, on Friday said the LTTE should not be allowed to use civilians as a human shield, reported The Hindu.

“While every effort must be made by the government and the LTTE to avoid any civilian casualties, the best thing for these people is that the LTTE allows them to move freely and enter a safe area where they can receive appropriate support. I call upon the LTTE to meet its responsibilities and guarantee freedom of movement to the civilian population in the Wanni,” The Hindu reported quoting the Japanese envoy.

“The LTTE doesn't say anything or control the movement of civilians. It is for the 'International Cheddiyaars' represented by Akashi and his ilk to reach out to the needy people in their refuge, rather than frightening them further by asking them to come out”, said the IDP activist.

“Akashi and others either have no guts or willingness to demand the Sri Lanka government to permit them to reach the suffering people, or perhaps they are guilty to face the people. We come out into whose hands?”, he asked.

“Irresponsible Indian and International News Agencies who can’t find their way to get the true ground picture or mood of the people should at least stop spinning stories, if they really care for the people. The Mahinda Rajapaksa government, which has rooted out independent media at home is employing foreign media stooges to carry out its agenda of genocide,” the IDP activist accused further.