Old article I came across, we are only told about how LTTE expelled Muslims so here is the other side:
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Matters that should be considered by the Muslim leadership
Point of View
By Niraj David
Presently, there is widespread expressions and sentiments regarding
the distressing situations of the Muslims driven out of Jaffna, and
the imperative need for their re-settlement in their traditional
habitat. Discussions have now become a matter of routine in a
political sense. The mid-nineties saw a wide cleavage in Tamil -
Muslim relationships resulting in the driving out of the Muslims from
the north; there can be no doubt about their re-settlement. But, at
the same time, during the same period, the Eastern Province too
witnessed similar events; the Tamils living in their traditional
regions too were driven out of their homes by Muslims: displacement
to other areas etc. In that context, there is the necessity to take
into consideration the plight of such displaced Tamils too to be re-
settled in their areas earlier occupied by them.
Eelam War II set in motion a calculated series of aggressive attacks
by the Sri Lankan Security Forces against the Tamils of the Eastern
province. The process of genocide of the Tamils' or the 'De-reliction
of the Tamils' by the Security forces received the active support
from both the Muslim militancy as well as the Muslim politicians. In
particular, Ampara District which had a permanent and long-standing
Tamil population of thousands of families, were subjected to all
forms of violence by both the Muslim hooligans and Muslim Home Guards.
When I refer to the word 'Muslims', it undoubtedly refers
specifically attributed to the destructive activities by Muslim Home
Guards, Muslim Hooligans and the Muslim politicians. By this process,
they ensured the compulsory displacement of the Tamils from their
traditional habitat and to strengthen their own positions with
ulterior motives. The fact that the security forces went on the
rampage in Tamil regions in the Ampara District paved the way for the
Muslim forces to plan and carry out calculated activities to achieve
their objectives.
In the process of destruction directed against the Tamils, the
community lost a number of the educated Tamil intelligentsia. Several
Hindu Temples were set on fire and destroyed. The Tamils lost all
their belongings including houses, agricultural lands, movable and
immovable properties. They were compelled to vacate their traditional
villages and move out to safer areas.
The Muslims who acquired both political as well as economic strengths
utilized the terrific war situation to establish and seize by force a
political platform to suit their needs. Result: Ampara District,
portions of which were once under Tamil regimes over a period of
traditional occupation with a proud heritage overnight became alien
property. Hindu Temples with centuries-old heritage, which
contributed to their moral and religious ways of life, were destroyed
completely leaving no traces. Tamil villages in the District such as
Palamunai, Panama, Meem Odai Kaddu, Oluvil, Nintawr, Samnlanthurai,
Karavalupattu, Deegavapi, Maanthoddam, Kondavedduva, Poorani,
Chemmanilwlam, Thangavelauthaplram, Udumpankulam, are strange lands
to the Tamil community having been converted to Muslim areas.
Moreover, other Tamil villages with a preponderant Tamil population,
namely, Addapallam, Chavalakadai, Thiraaikemi, Sorrikalmunai,
Veeracholai are nay facing eminent dangers of being engulfed by
Muslims using their political and economic machinations. All forms of
destructive activities directed by the security forces against the
Tamil community as well as their economic targets, paved the way for
the Muslims to reap the harvest and strengthen their position. Tamils
were murdered systematically on a planned basis. The remaining Tamils
were strangled economically with no prospects of carrying out farming
activities, marketing their produce or even moving freely without
fear. The sole objective was to drive out the remaining Tamils from
their villages. For that purpose, it was calculated to erase out
their heritage which came under the umbrella of 'Hindu Worship'.
Destructive activities were directed against the Hindu Temples in all
the villages. Here are a few examples:
Sammanthurai - Kali Amman Temple destroyed by the Muslism in 1990.
Karaitivu - Kannaki Amman Temple damaged by the Muslims who
accompanied the forces.
Addaipallam - Meenachchi Amman Temple damaged by the Muslims during
the same period.
Karavalu - A village in close proximity to Kalmunai - An ancient Kali
Kovil completely destroyed by Muslims. At present, a Mosque stands at
that - place.
Meen Odai Kaddu - Pillaiyar Temple completely destroyed by Muslims.
Muslim community settled at that site.
Oddamavadi - Batticaloa District - Pillaiyar Temple taken over
forcibly by Muslim. A Beef Stall stands there now.
The Tamils of Ampara are deeply grieved over the several instances of
the destructions caused to their places of worship as well as other
horrendous acts of violence caused to their kith and kin. Here is an
unforgettable incident: In 1990, Nintavur village was rounded up by
the security forces and Muslim Home Guards; 64 youths males and
females were taken to the Nintavur Murugan Temple. They were slain
and shot. Those killed and the groaning lot were set on fire along
with the temple. The strro1ge thing is that there is no trace of the
existence of a temple at that site which was once a recognised place
of worship. This area, is now one where no Tamils can go into it and
it is now a Muslim region.
Tiraikerui - An incident of aggression by Muslim hooligans in 1990.
Muslim Hooligans armed with swords and knives entered the village and
terrified the villagere. They sough t refuge in their village
Pillaiyar Temple. The hooligans after damaging the temple entrance
door attacked the helpless victims using their destructive weapons
and after they were killed set the temple on fire.
Veeramunai - During the same time, refugees who were accomodated in
the Pillaiyar Temple; they were rounded up by the Security forces and
the Muslim Home Guards.
They selected the educated and the well-built youths numbering 85,
took them inside the temple premises; they were slain and Shot by the
Muslim Home Guards.
This particular incident took place in the presence of the relatives
of those killed - When the security forces were simply watching While
the Muslim Home Guards performed these horrible murders. Ampara
Tamils often tell such similar stories through their experiences.
The Tamils of these regions did not have the courage and the strength
to fight the politically strong Muslim leadership who gave all the
help and assistance to the Muslim, Home Guards and the hooligans to
carry out their plans to destroy the Tamils, the reason being that
the remaining Tamils were economically bad as they were victims in
every sense; and more so because their children were drawn into the
liberation struggle which compelled them to remain silent spectators.
The fact is, the prevailing situation at that time made them a
complete helpless lot unable to voice their sentiments. There is yet
another situation. There were cries for 'separate Muslim
region'and 'Maritime Muslim District' from the strong Muslim
political Leadership. They were not only participant in a Government;
but also held positions to make or unmake governments. With that
strength, they were able to voice their sentiments and make loud
their slogans to receive the active support of the government of the
day. The Tamils of the region were politically bankrupt with no
representation; hence their grievances could not be spotlighted. The
Rights of the Tamils were not only denied nut also prevented for the
very same reasons.
It was the usual practice of the local politicos to release some
reports for the sake of doing it; while waiting for the next
opportunity to receive their favours from the government of the day.
There seems to be no efforts on their part to launch a struggle with
peoples' support or to expose the atrocities to the outside world;
their hands were tied and also tight-lipped.
There is also no record of any effort by anyone to spotlight the
destructions caused to Hindu Temples by the Muslims to the notice of
organisations like the Indian 'Vishva Hindu Parishad', and cause
embarrassment to those concerned as well is the Sri Lankan Govt.
They simply remained silent knowing fully well that their voices will
not be heard; they were concerned only for their own survival. The
only philosophy preached by them was' God will root out'.
We hear of various slogans like: ' Muslims of the North should be re-
settled traditional, lands taken by force to be handed over to the
owners ' - are often heard from both Muslim leadership and reasonable
Tamil leaderships. In that context, it becomes imperative that the
cause of the Ampara District Tamils too should be spotlighted on a
similar footing. With the on-going war situation over a length of
time, the Ampara Tamils who were subjected to all sorts of inhumane
and atrocious activities have suffered immense hardships. Their
traditional lands too were secured either by force or malicious means
by Muslims. Such lands too should be handed over to these who
occupied them.
Summarising the siutation of the Ampara Tamils, the under-mentioned
matters should be considered:
1. Traditional lands of those occupied by them prior to the war and
subsequently taken by force by the Muslims should be handed over back
to the owners.
2. Hindu Temples destroyed should be re-constructed.
3. Those areas which housed the Hindu Temples and presently colonised
by Muslims should be freed.
4. Those involved in violent activities directed against the Tamils
should be identified and brought before Courts for meeting justice.
5. Affected victims should be adequately compensated taking into
account their losses and their extent.
6. Regions which have majority Muslim population with a minority,
Tamil population should be adequately provided with a trusted
security system so as to afford protection to the life and the
households of the minority Tamils.
7. We are the sole representatives of the Muslims. - if the Sri Lanka
Muslim Congress is sincere about this slogan, and, as they are
partners of the Government, they should come forward and strive to
give effect to the above - mentioned matters.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianCivili...n/message/45973
http://www.dailymirror.lk/2003/10/22/opinion/2.asp<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
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