Comments on: Children of war wait for better lives http://transcurrents.com/tamiliana/archives/643 Wed, 01 Oct 2008 22:56:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: A.Rajasingam http://transcurrents.com/tamiliana/archives/643/comment-page-1#comment-23696 A.Rajasingam Fri, 23 May 2008 04:07:30 +0000 http://transcurrents.com/tamiliana/archives/643#comment-23696 In a war torn place, normalcy cannot be expected over night when politicians are thirst for power. As politicians are criminalized and criminals are politicized, it cannot be ruled out that rival group would not engage in activities to create some form of disturbance with the blessings of terrorists and opposition groups by not co-operating, delaying, sabotaging, etc. Recruitment of children is a burning issue. Since Chandrakanthan, alias Pillayan is too young and is from the breakaway faction of the LTTE he should be guided properly. One can at least breath that the breakaway faction has signaled that it is ready to enter within the democratic streamline. We have to tame them and allow them to have the taste of democracy. Blessings of the Maha Nayakas can instill a change of heart. Recruitment of children is a burning issue. The murder of Ms.Maheswary Velautham by a 13 year old from her adjoining village has already indicated that children had already been brain washed by the LTTE. The people should come forward to join Pillaiyan at this hour for a better tomorrow and discourage conscription of child soldiers. Beginning of a fresh life for the children without any discrimination should be the priority in developing the Eastern Province. Past is past. Healing of wounds of hatred should begin from now itself. The Government Forces should extend its arm of friendship and check any infiltration into the Eastern Province. It is time for the people of Eastern Province to shed all differences and stand as united in neutralizing the movements of the LTTE. The government must take the initiative to win the hearts of the people and obstruct all divisions within the communities. However, as people still fear to overcome such barriers such as murder, abduction, etc., and lead a prosperous life because of the threat from the terrorists, it is the duty of the government to give adequate protection in the constitution and give the impression all are one people, one nation and country. In a war torn place, normalcy cannot be expected over night when politicians are thirst for power. As politicians are criminalized and criminals are politicized, it cannot be ruled out that rival group would not engage in activities to create some form of disturbance with the blessings of terrorists and opposition groups by not co-operating, delaying, sabotaging, etc. Recruitment of children is a burning issue. Since Chandrakanthan, alias Pillayan is too young and is from the breakaway faction of the LTTE he should be guided properly. One can at least breath that the breakaway faction has signaled that it is ready to enter within the democratic streamline. We have to tame them and allow them to have the taste of democracy. Blessings of the Maha Nayakas can instill a change of heart. Recruitment of children is a burning issue. The murder of Ms.Maheswary Velautham by a 13 year old from her adjoining village has already indicated that children had already been brain washed by the LTTE. The people should come forward to join Pillaiyan at this hour for a better tomorrow and discourage conscription of child soldiers. Beginning of a fresh life for the children without any discrimination should be the priority in developing the Eastern Province. Past is past. Healing of wounds of hatred should begin from now itself. The Government Forces should extend its arm of friendship and check any infiltration into the Eastern Province. It is time for the people of Eastern Province to shed all differences and stand as united in neutralizing the movements of the LTTE. The government must take the initiative to win the hearts of the people and obstruct all divisions within the communities. However, as people still fear to overcome such barriers such as murder, abduction, etc., and lead a prosperous life because of the threat from the terrorists, it is the duty of the government to give adequate protection in the constitution and give the impression all are one people, one nation and country.

]]> By: samuel http://transcurrents.com/tamiliana/archives/643/comment-page-1#comment-23584 samuel Thu, 22 May 2008 13:38:26 +0000 http://transcurrents.com/tamiliana/archives/643#comment-23584 "What are these kids to return to.........................." This is the problem. Schools have to be repaired/rebuilt, teachers appointed, roads repaired, common sanitary (water seal) latrines installed in each village, water supply - by digging/cementing wells (one day job for a mason & two labourers for each well-the water table is just 8 to 12 feet below in most of EP) or install artesian (manual) pumps ( these were there in the thirties & forties) and a mid day meal for each child. These will result in basic education & health. "Massive Development" had been promised in the run up to the election. The Mayor of Batticaloa is trying to obtain aid from abroad-so it looks as if state funds will not be forthcoming! All UPFA politicos have gone home,having won the election. Pillayan says that his cadres will retain arms. They will not be paid by anybody, and hence will prey on society as before by extortion. Already two have been killed and two muslims killed in retaliation in Arayampathy, four miles south of Batticaloa. So it will be a long wait for the "bright future". “What are these kids to return to……………………..”

This is the problem. Schools have to be repaired/rebuilt, teachers appointed, roads repaired, common sanitary (water seal) latrines installed in each village, water supply – by digging/cementing wells (one day job for a mason & two labourers for each well-the water table is just 8 to 12 feet below in most of EP) or install artesian (manual) pumps ( these were there in the thirties & forties) and a mid day meal for each child. These will result in basic education & health.
“Massive Development” had been promised in the run up to the election.

The Mayor of Batticaloa is trying to obtain aid from abroad-so it looks as if state funds will not be forthcoming!
All UPFA politicos have gone home,having won the election.
Pillayan says that his cadres will retain arms.

They will not be paid by anybody, and hence will prey on society as before by extortion.
Already two have been killed and two muslims killed in retaliation in Arayampathy, four miles south of Batticaloa.
So it will be a long wait for the “bright future”.

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