Fall of LTTE and Indian Perspective

By K. Prafull The fall of Lacesation Tigers of Tamil Ealam is closely related to the disappearance of factors which enabled it survive for 30 years against the might of Sri Lankan armed forces. The following factors are important in the rise and fall of LTTE. First, LTTE survived because of reluctance of international community to treat it as the terrorist organisation in the initial phase. It recieved ample material and financial support from Tamil diaspora settled in foreign counteries; with the obstruction of international community. It was, initially, able to project the image of a liberation movement fighting for the rights of a suppressed minority community. But after 09/11, the international community launched an all over war on terror. This led to the depletion of international support for LTTE and its recognition by international community. Second, for survival, LTTE Supremo Prabhakaran played a hide and seek game for long time and was ultimately exposed. Whenever, it faced military heat, it would agree for negotiations to find a political solution of the problem, buy time to regroup and strengthen itself, and finally to range from its promise of negotiations. It happened several times most notably when India brokered peace agreement in 1987 and Norwaygian brokered ceasefire agreement in 2002. But second time, the Sri Lanka government was not willing to oblige LTTE for any genuine ceasefire and the government abrogated ceasefire agreement and security forces went ahead with an all round war against LTTE. The third factor was the gradual alienation of larger Tamil community in Sri Lanka. But as the conflict went on without any viable solution in sight, the support of Tamil community to LTTE was forced due to fear of its military machine. The fourth factor was depletion in Indian support to LTTE after the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi on its behest. During the heyday of cold war in 1980s, India is alleged to have rendered financial, moral and military support to various Tamil Groups fighting in Sri Lanka. But after the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, India changed its policy of active involvement in the conflict. This deprived a vital diplomatic support from India to LTTE during implementation of 1987 peace accord. It developed a secret understanding with the government of Sri Lanka as both demanded the withdrawal of Indian forces from Sri Lanka, which were sent in pursuance of the above accord. As far as Indian Stand on Tamil demand is concerned, India has never supported openly the separate homeland for Tamil by dividing the country. It has boristently upheld the they to give maximum autonomy to Tamils and find a political solution within the united Sri Lanka.