LTTE condemns Mannar anti-Muslim leaflet

[TamilNet, Sunday, 22 September 2002, 13:40 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers issued a statement Saturday condemning ‘disruptive forces’ behind a leaflet ordering Muslims to leave Mannar. The leaflet, issued surreptitiously in Mannar by a group called ‘Elalan Force’ last week, threatened that rivers of blood would flow if Muslim schools in the district do not shut down before end of September.

“We strongly condemn those who are behind this leaflet, put out mischievously at a time when all are working towards peace and communal harmony”, the Liberation Tigers said in the statement. “We wish to take this opportunity to once again reiterate our stand that the Northeast is the homeland of the Tamils and Muslims,” the LTTE statement stressed.

“The Muslim people should dismiss such efforts by forces that are bent on opposing peace,” the Tigers said.

The political division of the Liberation Tigers in Mannar held discussions with Mosque trustee boards in the district this week to dispel the concerns among the Muslims following the appearance of the spurious leaflet.

Hundreds of Muslims are resettling in many parts of Mannar following the ceasefire. Many of them however, complain that the Sri Lanka Navy is blocking their resettlement by refusing to leave their homes and properties in Talaimannar and several villages in the Mannar Island.