[TamilNet, Friday, 06 March 2009, 13:50 GMT]
Colombo plans to open two routes to prod Tamil civilians chose to stay under the protection of the LTTE into its barbed-wire internment camps, according to news reports, Friday. One route will be leading to north towards Chalai and the other towards south through Mullaiththeevu, the reports indicated. Meanwhile, India is likely to establish a field military hospital at Pulmoaddai, in the coast south of Mullaiththeevu to treat evacuated civilians Bernama.com reported, quoting Xinhua news agency.
The ICRC has been requested by the Colombo government to assist the 'herding' process and Red Cross in Geneva discusses the proposal, reports further said.
The ICRC spokesperson Simon Schorno was quoted by reports saying “Should there be an agreement from all parties involved, the ICRC stands ready to facilitate the movement of civilians as long as these movements are voluntary.”
52 Indian armed forces personal comprising medical specialists, doctors and nurses will staff the Indian military hospital and two Il 76 aircraft are to transfer 30 million rupees worth medicine for the hospital, news quoting Xinhua said.
The people of Vanni have been repeatedly sending SOS to the International Community to see food and medicine reaching where they are, and to ensure their safety in their own habitat by stopping the war.
The LTTE has always been saying that they are prepared for a ceasefire and negotiations.
In recent days international leaders and bodies are increasingly demanding the Colombo government to declare ceasefire and start negotiations.
But Colombo insists on continuing the war and fighting to the end, saying negotiations with the LTTE are not possible even it comes forward to lay down arms.
Colombo wants the civilians screened and kept in internment camps for years, until it sanitizes Vanni to its satisfaction.
Last month when Mahinda Rajapaksa gave 48 hours ultimatum for civilians to cross over, only less than 100 responded.
Colombo’s intensified and deliberate attacks on civilians even inside safe zone declared by Colombo itself, are widely seen as intimidation tactic arising out of frustration.
On the number of concerned civilians, Colombo is quoting only one third of the number quoted by UN and India endorses only Colombo’s version.
Colombo also refuses permission to international monitors and media persons to witness what exactly is taking place with the civilians in Vanni.
Under such circumstances any move abetting the evacuation of civilians, instead of protecting them in their habitat, or enforcing a ceasefire, is seen by observers as taking side with Colombo.
A week ago, the Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee while speaking at Thooththukkudi in Tamil Nadu, urged the Colombo government to announce a ‘pause’ in the offensive to allow the evacuation of civilians. He didn’t say anything on ceasefire or negotiations.
Pranab Mukherjee’s stand has been interpreted as a tactic to neutralize any positive move from any other quarter coming to the assistance of the civilians.
There were welcoming signals from Colombo when last month Pranab Mukherjee came forward to help Colombo in the evacuation of civilians and leaving their security, screening and rehabilitation in the hands of Colombo.
A couple of months back, the Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon, while visiting Colombo, commended on the ‘true friendship’ between India and Sri Lanka in times of need.
Colombo plans to open two routes to prod Tamil civilians chose to stay under the protection of the LTTE into its barbed-wire internment camps, according to news reports, Friday. One route will be leading to north towards Chalai and the other towards south through Mullaiththeevu, the reports indicated. Meanwhile, India is likely to establish a field military hospital at Pulmoaddai, in the coast south of Mullaiththeevu to treat evacuated civilians Bernama.com reported, quoting Xinhua news agency.
The ICRC has been requested by the Colombo government to assist the 'herding' process and Red Cross in Geneva discusses the proposal, reports further said.
The ICRC spokesperson Simon Schorno was quoted by reports saying “Should there be an agreement from all parties involved, the ICRC stands ready to facilitate the movement of civilians as long as these movements are voluntary.”
52 Indian armed forces personal comprising medical specialists, doctors and nurses will staff the Indian military hospital and two Il 76 aircraft are to transfer 30 million rupees worth medicine for the hospital, news quoting Xinhua said.
The people of Vanni have been repeatedly sending SOS to the International Community to see food and medicine reaching where they are, and to ensure their safety in their own habitat by stopping the war.
The LTTE has always been saying that they are prepared for a ceasefire and negotiations.
In recent days international leaders and bodies are increasingly demanding the Colombo government to declare ceasefire and start negotiations.
But Colombo insists on continuing the war and fighting to the end, saying negotiations with the LTTE are not possible even it comes forward to lay down arms.
Colombo wants the civilians screened and kept in internment camps for years, until it sanitizes Vanni to its satisfaction.
Last month when Mahinda Rajapaksa gave 48 hours ultimatum for civilians to cross over, only less than 100 responded.
Colombo’s intensified and deliberate attacks on civilians even inside safe zone declared by Colombo itself, are widely seen as intimidation tactic arising out of frustration.
On the number of concerned civilians, Colombo is quoting only one third of the number quoted by UN and India endorses only Colombo’s version.
Colombo also refuses permission to international monitors and media persons to witness what exactly is taking place with the civilians in Vanni.
Under such circumstances any move abetting the evacuation of civilians, instead of protecting them in their habitat, or enforcing a ceasefire, is seen by observers as taking side with Colombo.
A week ago, the Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee while speaking at Thooththukkudi in Tamil Nadu, urged the Colombo government to announce a ‘pause’ in the offensive to allow the evacuation of civilians. He didn’t say anything on ceasefire or negotiations.
Pranab Mukherjee’s stand has been interpreted as a tactic to neutralize any positive move from any other quarter coming to the assistance of the civilians.
There were welcoming signals from Colombo when last month Pranab Mukherjee came forward to help Colombo in the evacuation of civilians and leaving their security, screening and rehabilitation in the hands of Colombo.
A couple of months back, the Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon, while visiting Colombo, commended on the ‘true friendship’ between India and Sri Lanka in times of need.