Colonel Karuna
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| Background |
| Origins of the Civil War |
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• Origins of the Civil War |
| LTTE |
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• LTTE • Attributed Terrorist attacks • Child Soldiers |
| Major figures |
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• Mahinda Rajapakse |
| Indian Involvement |
| See also |
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• Military of Sri Lanka |
Colonel Karuna Amman is the nom de guerre of Vinayagamoorthi Muralitharan (born 1966), the President of the TamilEela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal, a breakaway faction of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). In March 2004, Karuna organized a split from the main LTTE.
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[edit] Biography
Karuna was born in Kiran, a village in the Batticaloa district in eastern Sri Lanka. He joined the LTTE in 1983 and became a top commander in the district he represented. He was once even a bodyguard to LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran. In 2003 he was elevated to the rank of special commander for the eastern Batticoloa-Amparai districts by Prabhakaran.
[edit] Break with LTTE
In March 2004, Karuna broke away from the mainstream LTTE after he alleged they were ignoring the interests of the eastern Tamil people. The LTTE alleges that the real reason he broke way was because the LTTE's intelligence wing was closing in on him for corruption and violating the LTTE code of conducts. The Tigers reacted by launching attacks against Karuna's forces, and heavy clashes ensued. The LTTE claimed they fully evicted his forces from the district he controlled.
However, the Karuna Faction, as it has now been dubbed, continues to maintain a stronghold in the southeast of Sri Lanka with a force estimated to number a few hundred. They continue to regularly attack the LTTE, causing heavy casualties. [1]
[edit] LTTE allegations
Karuna's group serves as a prominent focal point for the LTTE's anger toward the Sri Lankan government, which is accused of arming, sheltering and supporting the group. This has been further exacerbated by a number of military defeats suffered by the LTTE at the hands of Karuna's forces in recent months.[citation needed]
[edit] Sudden visit to his camps
Colonel karuna made an unexpected and rare appearance at the passing out parade of the latest batch of TMVP cadres held at an undisclosed military base in the east. According to the cadres his visit has been a pleasant surprise to them. He has spoken to each and every one of them and given them a patient hearing. It was noted that in some instances he advised some cadres and in another incident he commended the cadres for their good work and for maintaining good discipline. He, was accompanied by his Supreme Commander Pillaiyan, Senior Commander Jeyam and other commanders. Karuna spent two days with his cadres in their bases and discussed with them about the changes that has to be effected in the running of the military wing of the TMVP.[2][3]
On the suggestions of the cadres and the regional commanders TMVP leadership agreed to set up two new brigades and cadres were assigned from the existing units. These two brigades were classified as Special Attack Brigade and Special Reconnaissance attack Brigade.[4]
On the second day of Karuna’s visit, a special sports meet of the TMVP military cadres was held. Winners’ received prizes from Karuna. In his address at the sports meet Karuna commended his Supreme Commander Pillaiyan for running the TMVP military wing efficiently and for maintaining strict discipline. He also commended his Senior Commander Jeyam and other regional Commanders. He emphasized that it is very important that TMVP cadres’ shall at all times maintain strict discipline.[5][6]
[edit] Allegations Human Rights violations
The TamilEela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal has been accused by human rights groups such as AHRC in the increasing involuntary disappearances of civilians in the Jaffna peninsula. [8] They have been accused of taking part in death squad activity against civilians. They are also accused of child soldier recruitment by the UNICEF and in murdering Tamil civilians by the US State Department's annual country report.
Karuna has categorically denied these allegations in interviews claiming the LTTE is trying to discredit his party.[13]
[edit] References
- ↑ Interview with Karuna Asian Tribune
- ↑ BBC profile of Colonel Karuna BBC
- ↑ Boston Globe article on role of LTTE Splinter group involvement in civilian dissapearances
- ↑ BBC report on Karuna group as a Human rights violator
- ↑ Karuna group kills killed 20 civilians US state government report
- ↑ Karuna group abducts 100 child soldiers
- ↑ UNICEF on child recruitment by Karuna group
- ↑ UTHR(J) on Karuna group activity as part of killer squads of civilians
