A former Tamil Tiger rebel now in the custody of the government Sunday slammed Indian Tamil politicians for using the Tamil issue in Sri Lanka for their political gain.
Kumaran Pathmanathan, better known as KP, who was once the chief arms procurer for the Tamil Tigers, said politicians in Tamil Nadu were using Sri Lanka to bag votes in elections, Xinhua reported.
“Innocent people who don’t know their political agenda believed them but it is sad and unfortunate how this pack of politicians used them as a tool to strengthen their vote base,” Pathmanathan told state media.
He said it was hilarious to see the concern of Tamil Nadu politicians to create a separate land for Tamils in an era when Sri Lankan Tamils want to live in a united country.
“I strongly believe now that no external force can solve our problems, which are unique to us,” he said.
Pathmanathan issued an open challenge to Tamil Nadu politicians to show their genuineness by voicing their concerns on behalf of more than 100,000 Sri Lankan refugees in Tamil Nadu who are living in poor conditions.
“(The refugees) are struggling to live. Children don’t have proper education as they don’t have birth certificates. They are still languishing in camps with poor living conditions,” he said.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha and her predecessor M. Karunanidhi often voice concerns on Sri Lanka over various issues and seek the intervention of the Indian government.
Pathmanathan was arrested in Malaysia by the Sri Lankan intelligence soon after the war ended in May 2009. He has been in Sri Lankan custody since then.