transcurrents

Army takes over 75% of region as LTTE vacates Sampoor

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj

The small but strategic township of Sampoor in the Muthur East division of Trincomalee district came under the control of Sri Lankan armed forces around noon on Monday September 4th. There was no resistance as troops advanced cautiously because the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had vacated Sampoor ivernight after having moving out its heavy artillery earlier.

The Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) commenced a massive operation to retake Sampoor exactly a week ago on Monday August 28th. In a battle of mixed fortunes both GOSL and LTTE fighters inflicted heavy damage on each other and also won and lost territory.

The security forces however pushed relentlessly forward to Sampoor after taking a couple of “breathers’ on two days to rest and consolidate acquired territory.

With the GOSL pumping in more men and materials on the one hand and the beleaguered tigers in Sampoor region not receiving reinforcements from the North the result of the Sampoor battle became obvious. The ground based drive of the army was supported vy intensive artillery fire, aerial bombardment and naval gun boat shelling.

[Map:TamilNet]

The armed forces moved forward along the coastal areas in what was clearly a battle weighed in their favour. As the LTTE began losing ground in Kattaiparichan, Senaiyoor, Ambalnagar and Ganeshapuram it became certain that the LTTE had to move out of Sampoor or face encirclement.

The LTTE began moving out its heavy, long range artillery pieces on Friday and Saturday night while offering resistance to advancing troops. On Sunday Sep 3rd night the LTTE moved out clandestinely from Sampoor township and outlying areas.

Security forces realised that the LTTE had abandoned Sampoor on Monday Sep 4th morning. Fearing a trap the troops did not rush in but moved forward along the coast cautiously while being on the look out for landmines and booby traps.

Soldiers also destroyed the bunkers and artillery positions found along the way. Security forces had taken over the small Sampoor town by noon on the 4th and were proceeding further along the coast slowly.

LTTE vacating Sampoor on the 4th was another stroke of luck for President Mahinda Rajapakse who was presiding over the 55th year party convention of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) in Colombo. A beaming Rajapakse broke the news that the army had retaken Sampoor to wildly cheering and applauding gathering. Rajapakse also repeated his familiar chant that the GOSL was fighting a defensive war. [Picture: DailyMirror.lk]

Though Sampoor is a small township with a main street, some buildings and a few lanes the surrounding areas are of strategic importance. The Sampoor region is about 19 square miles in area. The LTTE had fourteen camps and three naval bases in the region and also its Trincomalee district political and military headquarters.

The tigers had reportedly stationed one 130 mm, two 122mm and four 120 mm in the Sampoor regions. A number of well – camouflaged platforms were constructed along the coast. The tigers used to shift the heavy artillery from place to place amid great difficulty.

Despite intensive bombardment and shelling the armed forces were unable to silence or destroy these batteries.They have all been relocated to the Verugal – Vaaharai region on the Trincomalee – Batticaloa district border.

It was the presence of this artillery battery which made Sampoor strategically important as the LTTE could target China Bay and Trincomalee harbour across Kottiyaar bay from here. The LTTE did do so on at least two occasions in August thereby adding a sense of urgency to GOSL plans of retaking Sampoor.

What remains puzzling to many is the conduct of the LTTE hierarchy regarding the Sampoor battle. Though tiger spokespersons stated that they will not give up Sampoor the Wanni leadership did not send any reinforcements. No counter strikes or ocounter offensives were launched.

[SLMM head Ulf Henricsson with Mr.Elilan and representatives of Tamil civilians at Maavil Aaru area to open the sluice gates on Aug 6th. - TamilNet Photo]

The tigers in Sampoor were virtually abandoned by Kilinochchi and it is indeed a manifestation of tiger grit and courage that LTTE cadres were able to resist military advances for seven days.

The GOSL troops are currently moving along the Sampoor coast towards Ilakkanthai. Security forces have now about 75 % of the Sampoor region under control. Most of these are littoral areas.

Though the tigers have vacated Sampoor they are still present in hinterland areas of Muthur East. The LTTE launched a mortar fire blitz against the army camp at Selvanagar on Monday. Two soldiers were killed and several injured.

The GOSL is projecting an impression that a major victory has been achieved and that vanquished tigers are on the run. The South is being told that the tiger “menace” in Sampoor is over. It is also being stated that Trincomalee and China Bay are safe now.

These assumptions could be proven wrong in the long run.

While the army consolidates captured areas of Sampoor the LTTE may very well launch guerilla incursions in the days to come. Though the LTTE vacated Sampoor it has not lost many men or important military assets. The tigers are down but not out in Sampoor.

Also the LTTE has in the past conducted operations in China Bay and Trincomalee without territorial control of Sampoor. It may very well do so even now.

The LTTE has admitted tacitly in a letter to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission that Sampoor has been taken over by the army and that it is a ceasefire violation. The LTTE has inquired as to why the SLMM remains silent so far and has not condemned the action so far.

The tigers had also sent an urgent message to Norwy on Friday Sep 1st warnig the four co – chairs that the LTTE will consider quitting the peace process formally if Sampoor fell to the army. Colombo however did not take this word of caution seriously and went ahead with its plans.

LTTE Defence Affairs spokesperson Rasiah Ilanthiraiyan has said that the LTTE hierarchy was seriously engaged in reviewing the current status of the ceasefire.

Meanwhile S. Elilan, Trincomalee tiger political Commissar has said that the army is only in possession of the coastal areas of Sampoor. The LTTE according to Elilan is still fighting the army and is re- positioning itself in the interior areas.

The GOSL is also trying to paint a humanitarian picture of its military operation by saying that displaced Muslims from Muthur and Thopoor will be re- settled as a result of Sampoor being retaken.

What is deliberately ignored is the terrible onslaught by the security forces against Tamil civilians in Muthur East from April 25th onwards. Aerial bombardment by the Air Force, Artillery fire by the Army and Gunboat shelling by the navy continued sporadically for months.

The final ground based offensive on Aug 28th was the culmination of a prolonged, cruel campaign where the civilians underwent great destruction, deahs and displacement.

According to LTTE figures 93 Tamil civilans have been killed and 215 injured in LTTE controlled regions of Muthur East and Eechilampattru from April 25th. Over 66, 000 Tamils in the region have been displaced to Batticaloa. 12 villages with a population of about 15, 000 have been totally destroyed while almost all other villages are greatly affected.

The GOSL has use security as an excuse to prevent foof, medicine, aid etc from reaching the affected areas. NGO’s and media are not allowed in while a military campaign of genocidal proportions is conducted.

International Humanitarian law has been defiantly flouted. All sense of proportionality regarding use of force has been disregarded. Moreover the Rajapakse regime has boldly stated that it’s military objectives openly and followed suit.

Even now plans are afoot to de – populate the strategic Sampoor region of Tamils and set up a high security zone for the military extending from Muthur jetty to Ilakkanthai. Muslims will be resettled in Muthur and Thoppoor as a “buffer”.

The Rajapakse regime will orchestrate a jubiliant victory celebration of Sampoor in the days to come. What is not realised is that this “victory” is in reality a great crime against humanity. Organizations like the Amnesty International which issued a critique of Israel in Lebanon should examine what went on in Muthur East critically and condemn both the GOSL and LTTE for their conduct.

Related:

- Tigers hit back at Pattiaddy but move artillery out from Sampoor

- Armed Forces seize four villages around Sampur

- Army advances as Sampur battle enters new phase

- Wretched of the North-East Lanka earth

transCurrents feedback : editor@transcurrents.com

transCurrents feedback :Contact DBS Jeyaraj : djeyaraj2005@yahoo.com

September 4th, 2006

Tigers hit back at Pattiaddy but move artillery out from Sampoor

by D.B.S. Jeyaraj

In the on going battle of see -saw fortunes for control of strategic Sampoor , the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) hit back at the security forces effectively in Pattiaddy. But moved out their long – range artillery from the conflict zone Southwards, to the Verugal – Vaaharai region.

The Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) commenced ground operations on Monday August 28th to take control of the Sampoor region comprising an area of 19 square miles and its adjacent areas. The region in Muthur East division had been constantly subjected to aerial bombardment, artillery fire and naval gunboat shelling in a bid to drive Tamil civilians away and destroy infra-structure.

Seven days of fighting saw a comparative lull on Aug 31st and Sep 3rd respectively. The days of “lull” saw the GOSL troops trying to consolidate gains achieved while engaging in low intensity artillery fire.

The security forces moving out in different directions from different fronts had advanced to a considerable extent by Friday Sep 1st.

Troops moving out from Pachanoor had advanced about 2 km to reach Santhanavattai near the Malligaitheevu junction. Security personnel moving out from the Thoppoor and Selvanagar camps had moved forward about one KM to reach Pattiaddy.

The main thrust from Kattaiparichan littoral was the most successful having advanced more than three kilometres and entering border areas of the Sampoor Grama Sevakha division. Security forces brought under control the whole of Kattaiparichan in addition to Senaiyoor, Ganeshapuram and Ambalnagar.

Even as the GOSL troops were consolidating gains on the Kattaiparichan – Sampoor front the tigers hit back ferociously at Pattoaddy. This was the first time in the on going battle that the LTTE launched a limited counter- strike. The tigers had been fighting what was mainly a defensive war.

The LTTE on Saturday Sep 2nd counter – attacked GOSL troops at Pattiaddy and compelled them to retreat to earlier positions in Selvanagar and Thoppoor.

LTTE Political Commissar for Trincomalee S. Elilan claimed that 12 soldiers were killed and more than 25 injured in the Pattiaddy fighting. He also said that an Armoured Personnel Carrier and another armoured vehicle were destroyed in the fight.

The LTTE had lost four men at Pattiaddy. They were Capt. Lathangan, (Ganeshamoorthy Balachandran of Sittandy)2nd Lt Olivanan (Meganathan Sibirajan), Kaavalan ( Shanmugam Naveenan of Munaikkaadu) and a woman cadre Thillaimathy (Thangarajah Geetheswary of Kokkatticholai). All four were from Baticaloa district.

While successfully repulsing the army at Paddiaddy the LTTE has commenced moving out its long – range artillery from Sampoor to the Verugal – Vaaharai region further South. This move is seen as a precursor to a complete withdrawal of the LTTE from Sampoor in the days to come.

With the GOSL pumping in more men and materials in addition to constant – bombing and shelling the tigers are not expected to hold out for long unless further reinforcements from the North arrive. While continuing to resist in Sampoor the LTTE is expected to make a strategic withdrawal at an appropriate juncture to avoid full encirclement.

It was the presence of long – range artillery in Sampoor that exacerbated a threat perception to the GOSL. The LTTE was capable of attacking Trincomalee and China Bay from Sampoor. This could have disrupted Trincomalee – China Bay in addition to cutting off supply lines to Jaffna. Also Sampoor was a launching pad to attack Trincomalee.

The LTTE counter – offensive during the Maavilaaru crisis saw the tigers using Sampoor to launch an attack on Muthur and also send out a flotilla to Trincomalee. The LTTE also fired artillery at Trinco harbour on two occasions during the campaign. On one occasion 36 shells fell inside the Naval HQ in Trinco within 30 minutes.

The tigers were reported to stationed one 130 mm, two 122mm and four 120 mm in the Sampoor regions. A number of well – camouflaged platforms were constructed along the coast. The tigers used to shift the heavy artillery from place to place amid great difficulty. Despite intensive bombardment and shelling the armed forces were unable to silence or destroy these batteries.

Now the LTTE had commenced moving out the artillery to Verugal – Vaaharai region on the border of Trincomalee – Vaaharai districts. It is reported that the LTTE already has two long range 120 mm and 122 mm artillery there. The firing range of 120 mm’s are 15 km and 122 mm 20 km respectively.

According to reports from the conflict zone the LTTE is now firing only 60 mm mortars and Rocket propelled Grenades. The GOSL is using a lot of field artillery in addition to deploying many battle tanks and armoured cars. LTTE landmines, Johnny mines and other booby traps have reportedly exacted a heavy toll.

The LTTE had three naval bases at Soodaikkudaa, Ilakkanthai and Kadatkaraichenai in the Sampoor region. In addition there were 14 camps in the interior. The LTTE had Sampoor as its Trincomalee headquarters with its head camp, political office, courts, Police station, bank etc being situated there.

There were about 15,000 people in 12 villages in the Sampoor region prior to the escalation of bombardment and shelling. Sampoor was first targetted on April 25th this year when the army commander Sarath Fonseka was targetted by a suicide bomber.

Gen Sarath Fonseka made an unpublicised trip to Trincomalee district last week. Army deputy chief Gen Nanda Mallawaratchy is already stationed in Kallaru to oversee the Sampoor operation. Fonseka’s visit to the frontline cheered the troops and increased morale it is learnt.

Security personnel numbering 2000 – 2500 are deployed currently on the Sampoor front.They are from the 8th Sinha regiment under Lt. Col. Romesh Fernando, 6th Gajaba regiment commanded by Lt. Col Thalgahawatte and the special forces 2nd brigade led by Major.Ihalage.

The army lost 22 men including two officers in the first three days of fighting. 130 men were injured. It is estimated now that army casualties are about 70 killed and more than 200 wounded. Injured soldiers are receiving treatment at the Polonnaruwa, Kanthalai, Trincomalee , Anuradhapura hospitals . roops are also being treated at Sri Jayawardhenapura, Colombo national and Military hospitals.

The LTTE has lost about 40 to 50 men including Major Parani. The exact number of injured tigers are not known. The LTTE medical unit is attending to them. Trinco Special Commander “Col” Sornam is in charge of Sampoor defences while Batticaloa Special Commander “Col” Bhanu is coordinating logistics from Verugal.

The intense conflict has made the Sampoor region virtually devoid of civilians. At least twelve villages have faced utter destruction while other villages in the Muthur East and Eechilampattru divisions are also affected. The bulk of Tamil civilians in these areas have crossed over to Batticaloa and are in the Koralaipattru North division as refugees.62, 643 peole from 15, 540 families have sought refuge there.

The displacement of Tamils from these regions in Trincomalee district was a deliberate move . It was clearly intended to de – populate the region of Tamils for politico – military reasons. While chasing Tamils away from their traditional homeland the GOSL is announcing that it will re- settle Muslims in their areas.

The GOSL also intends setting up a high security zone from Muthur Jetty to Ilakanthai. Tamil civilians will be deprived of their habitat as in Jaffna. Muslims will be settled in Muthur and Thoppoor as “buffers”.

The GOSL is projecting an impression through its media that the physical conquest of Sampoor will ensure the security of Muthur and Trincomalee. The LTTE’s Elilan has warned that such an assumption may be wrong. He has pointed out that the LTTE managed to conduct many successful operations in the past when Sampoor was controlled by the armed forces.

The Mahinda Rajapakse regime is relying solely on military force as the solution for the ethnic problem. Such assumptions can be dangerously wrong. Sadly much blood will have to flow before enlightenment dawns. Whatever the ultimate fate there is no doubt that the beleaguered and oppressed Tamil people will continue to suffer.

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Contact DBS Jeyaraj : djeyaraj2005@yahoo.com

September 4th, 2006