TNA condemns Kanchirankuda killings, demands STF withdrawal

[TamilNet, Thursday, 10 October 2002, 14:02 GMT]
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Thursday strongly condemned the attack by the Special Task Force (STF) on unarmed Tamil civilians at Kanchirankuda in Thirukovil area of the Amparai district . “We suspect that this was a deliberate attempt to disrupt the peace process,” said Mr.R.Sampanthan, leader of the Tamil National Alliance parliamentary group in a statement issued to the press Thursday.

The full text of the statement is given below:

“ The Tamil National Alliance views with serious concern, the grave incident that occurred at Kanchirankuda in the Thirukovil area of the Amparai district, on 9th October. The incident was sparked by an unwarranted and provocative attack by some Special Task Force (STF) personnel on the driver of a private tractor in which two L.T.T.E cadres were travelling on the morning of the 9th around 10 a.m. The LTTE cadres were themselves attacked by the STC personnel.

“When the public protested in the evening against the morning’s incident in front of the STC camp at Kanchirankuda, the STF personnel in the camp, without attempting to disperse the public using peaceful means, resorted to shooting indiscriminately. This act by STF personnel was far in excess of any action that may have been legitimately warranted in the circumstances.

“Seven civilians including four students have died and thirteen civilians, have been injured some grievously by this indiscriminate shooting by the STF.

“We unreservedly condemn this attack on unarmed Tamil civilians.

“We strongly suspect that this was a deliberate attempt to disrupt the peace process.

“We call upon the Government to hold an impartial investigation into the incident and to take appropriate action against those responsible for the unwarranted attack in the morning and the brutal killing of and causing injury to innocent Tamil civilians including students on the evening of the 9th.

“We appeal to the Tamil public to be calm and refrain from contributing in any way to the disruption of the peace process.

“A delegation of members of parliament of the TNA met today the Prime Minister, the Defence Minister, the Interior Minister and urged that (1) the STF in the Amparai district be replaced by other security forces (2) an impartial investigation be carried out promptly and the offenders are appropriately punished (3) families of those killed and injured are given adequate compensation, and (4) appropriate action taken to ensure that such incidents are not repeated."