Kanjirankuda inquiry one sided - Chandra Nehru

[TamilNet, Saturday, 09 November 2002, 02:40 GMT]
"The Committee appointed to investigate the Kanjirankuda violence has produced a grossly one-sided report. I have no faith in this Committee. I urge the Prime Minister to appoint a new Committee that can maintain its independence and conduct an impartial and thorough investigation of the recent violence," said Chandra Nehru, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Member of Parliament (MP) for Ampara district while speaking in the Parliament on 8 October.

Chandra Nehru used the opportunity afforded to him during the budget debate in the Parliament under speaker Joseph Michael Perera, to express his disapproval of the contents of the report.

Chandra Nehru, TNA Member of Parliament for Ampara

Mr. Nehru said, "I am still haunted by the tragic incident in Kanjirankuda. Innocent civilians who were protesting were shot to death by the Special Task Force (STF) without a warning. STF members dragged the injured civilians into the camp, shot them dead, and claimed that they shot the intruders in self-defense.

"The Sri Lanka Government should come forward to provide compensation to the victims.

"The STF should immediately vacate their camps in Thirukovil, Kanjirankuda, Sakamam, and Thandiyadi. Tamil people living around these areas have suffered immensely in the last several years. Continued presence of these camps will perpetuate their misery.

"Eelam People Democratic Party (EPDP) and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) are working feverishly to create discord between communities in the east. Some media are assisting them in their nefarious activities.

"The budget has failed to generate any excitement. The prices of essential food items should be reduced to soften the burden on the poor. Farmers need affordable fertilizers and pesticides. Our fishing industry must be developed. Employment opportunities must be created for our youth.

"The villages and towns of NorthEast levelled by war must be rebuilt and internally displaced provided with required assistance to resettle. While we rejoice at the prospect of peace with the progress being made at the negotiating table, we should provide our full support to the Prime Minister in his peace efforts and help him defeat elements that are bent on sabotaging the peace," said Mr. Nehru in his address to the Parliament

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