Disappointed LTTE “Cop” seeks protection from Sri Lanka Police and troops

ESCAPE and subsequent surrender of a so-called “Policeman” of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to the Omanthai Entry/Exit point, Tuesday (10) afternoon in fear of his own life speaks volumes about the ground realities, if not what actually goes on inside under LTTE dictatorial rule..

LTTE “policeman” of 21 years of age, Somasundaram Sharmajothi Shankar was recruited to that particular wing of the LTTE in September 2002 when he just completed his 18 years but only after LTTE duped him into believing that he would be paid Rs. 8,500/- monthly if he were to serve their “law and order” machinery..

With high future prospects in mind “Cop” Shankar served nearly two years but LTTE hierarchy suddenly stopped payment for him and his fellow “Cops” saying that they should voluntarily dedicate for their Eelam cause, and not for money. Poor Shankar and his family, parents and the sister became desperate when the LTTE stopped paying them in early 2004..

Disappointed but irate and determined Shankar went on pressing ahead with his claim for “payment for his police service” as it was what the LTTE offered him and his fellow “Cops”. Shankar, “trade unionist turned cop” vehemently opposed LTTE's non-payment of salaries..

As is the practice against any dissenting voice, the LTTE gradually began to turn a deaf year to his grievances and started to do all possible to shut his mouth by employing him in rigorous labour work outside normal work..

In the meantime, realizing what the future would hold him, the disgusted Shankar made secret overtures to a bus conductor in Kilinochchi area with a view to finding a way out for his exit from LTTE and its dictatorial rule once for all since his family members were undergoing many hardships without any income what so ever for their survival..

After his secret exit from LTTE and joining his bus conductor-friend on that fateful day, Shankar was proceeding towards Vavuniya when he was caught red-handed at LTTE roadblock in Omanthai. Hopes for his future shattered as LTTE cadres began grilling him posing many queries to him..

He was detained at LTTE point but an angel put an idea into fleeing Shankar. Observing closely to check what was going on around him, Shankar spared no time and took to his heels across the no man's land ahead of the LTTE point no sooner than his LTTE captors turned their attention away on two other buses which came to their point..

Despite ear-splitting yells from his LTTE captors, Shankar managed his way up to the Security Forces checkpoint at Omanthai pleading for assistance and safety for his life. Police and the troops, giving a patient hearing to his harrowing tale formally handed him over to the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) and Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) for necessary course of onward actions..

Shankar in his confession to the Magistrate has reportedly told that many of his fellow “LTTE cops” were to follow the suit in time to come since they are also not being paid anything for their work in the LTTE.