LTTE-Muslim leaders meet in Mutur

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 21 May 2003, 18:52 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and Mutur Majlis Al Shura Council Wednesday agreed to appoint an eight-member committee to resolve differences that arise between Tamils and Muslims in the Mutur area in future, sources in Mutur said.

At a discussion held Wednesday at the office of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) in Trincomalee in the presence of the head of SLMM in Trincomalee Mr.Jan Ledang, both parties discussed in detail behind closed doors the problems confronting the two communities after the recent disturbances in Mutur area, sources said.

At the end of four hour of discussions, a statement signed by the LTTE Trincomalee district political head Mr.Thilak and the leader of the Mutur Majlis Al Shura Council Moulavi M.M. Careem was released to the press.

On behalf of the LTTE its Trincomalee district political head Mr.Thilak attended the discussions. Messrs Moulavi M.M.Careem, S.M.Javabdeen, I.M.S Vahardeen, K.A.Rahuman, M.A.M.Sabir, S.M.Rasheed and M.S.M.Niyas participated on behalf of the Mutur Majlis Al Shura Council, sources said.

The joint statement issued to the press states:

1. We agree to appoint an eight-member committee to resolve differences that arise between the Tamils and Muslims in the Mutur division. Of the eight members, four will be appointed by the LTTE and the Mutur Majlis Al Shura Council will appoint the other four.
2. Those who have beein cultivating their lands up to now should be able to continue cultivation. The eight-member committee can arbitrate problems regarding lands leased out and uncultivated.
3. Fishing could be done in sea. However the committee could resolve problems arising over fishing in inland waters such as tanks, rivers and ponds.
4. People can continue their normal activities in their areas without fear.

Mutur Majlis Asl Shura Council group leader Moulavi M.M.Careem (fourth from left) and LTTE Trincomalee district political head Mr.Thilak ( 5th from left) are seen with other Mutur Majlis council members after the peace conference held at SLMM office in Trinco.