Conceding the fact that many members of the other militant organisations too had laid down their lives for the cause of Tamil Eelam, Pirapaharan’s LTTE took initiative in taking an account of them for honouring them as Maaveerar (heroes). Forms had been distributed for this purpose to get written consent from the next of kin of the slain heroes of the other militant organisations. The outbreak of war in 2006 stalled the process started in 2002, revealed a former senior member of the LTTE to TamilNet on Tuesday. If needed, he would openly come out and testify the fact in his own voice, the former senior member said.
The former senior member further came out with the following details:
The process started in 2002, after talks held between the LTTE and various members of the other militant organisations as well as family members of those who had sacrificed their lives for the cause of Tamil Eelam.
Their leaders might have made mistakes, but the cadres sacrificed their lives for the cause and they should be honoured as Maaveerar, was the position taken by Pirapaharan’s LTTE.
The LTTE had a special consideration for those of the other militant organisations who laid down their lives fighting the SL forces in the pre-IPKF period.
The apex secretariat of the then LTTE conducted a survey and has prepared a list of slain members of the other militant organisations who should be honoured. To get the consent of their family members, special forms were printed and have been sent to various Maaveerar Affairs offices and to the political offices of the LTTE in the North and East.
The LTTE was firm and wholehearted in conferring the honour to the slain members of the other militant organisations it had listed out. But first it wanted their family members to give written consent.
The response was enormous from the family members of those who had sacrificed their lives fighting under EROS and TELO, and was considerable from the sections of EPRLF and others.
When the process reached a crucial stage it was stalled with the outbreak of the war in 2006. The following years were not conducive for any progress in this matter.
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TamilNet came to know a rough outline of the initiative from the Late S.P.Thamilchelvan, Head of the LTTE’s Political Division and from some former members of the other militant organisations.
The inclusive initiative of Pirapaharan’s LTTE has to be pursued to its fruition by all well wishers of the cause of Eezham Tamils, is a strong voice heard from several quarters of Tamil civil society and activists.
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