Prabhakaran's death evokes mixed feelings in Chennai

From Gopal Ethiraj in Chennai

Chennai, 19 May, (Asiantribune.com): As news came in that Tamil Tigers chief Velupillai Prabhakaran had actually been killed, it evoked a mixed feeling in Tamil Nadu’s capital and throughout the state. For some it was a relief; for some it was disbelief. Some said it was to happen one day or the other, "good the curtain has come down; let peace prevail." Others simply refused to believe it was true.

"If the news is true, the last hope of Tamils in Sri Lanka who once ruled that island nation, is lost forever. Whatever may have been his shortcomings, he will always be hero to us," said a sympathizer. Some believe it was his double that was killed, and Prabhakaran would surface either in Germany or France.

The city was in the grip of rumors past three days, and then the official announcement came today. The Chennai police arrested 300 persons in preventive custody yesterday, after a shopping mall Chennai Citi Centre was stoned and glass doors and window panes were broken.

Unwilling to take chances, the city police issued alert and tightened security all over the state and especially in Chennai, where the issue of Tamil Eelam, or a separate state for Tamils in Sri Lanka, has always been an emotive one.

Security around the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission, Bank of Ceylon and Air Lanka offices in the heart of the city was particularly stepped up, making it difficult for people who lived and worked in the area. Armed pickets have been posted at all vulnerable areas and through the coastline bordering Sri Lanka.

And while police went on alert, the reactions to the death of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief in Sri Lanka's Mullaitivu area varied widely.

"There is no place for terrorism in civil society. The world is fed up with terrorism, it should end. Prabhakaran emerged as a hero for the Tamils cause, and ended as a zero, killing his own peer Tamil leaders and rulers of his own country and our nation, and being responsible for liquidating his own race. I think it is poetic justice or the nemesis," said Ms. Muthumani, a professionalist.

Added a Lankan repatriate: "The news is probably untrue as there are little chances of his being killed by the enemy. However, if the story is true, he has become a martyr."

Said an homemaker: "Whether it is Prabhakaran or Veerappan, both have an end, and have to be eliminated."

Political analyst Cho Ramaswamy welcomed the development. "Sri Lanka is now rid of a problem and it is a great relief...The LTTE has eliminated many Tamil leaders though there are some remaining alive. In Tamil Nadu, some fringe groups may indulge in violence and there may be some self immolation. The state police can easily quell that as there is no support for them from the people," he said.

The pro-LTTE political parties were unavailable for comment. Both Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and former chief minister J. Jayalalithaa had endorsed a separate homeland for Sri Lankan Tamils during the last days of the election campaign.

- Asian Tribune -