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Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on April 12th evening telephoned Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse to express concern over escalating violence in Trincomalee diplomatic sources said.

While expressing his sympathies about security personnel killed and injured in the claymore mine attacks in the district over the past few days the Indian Premier explicitly informed President Rajapakse that urgent precautions sahould be taken to ensure that the lives and property of civilians are protected.

Mr. Singh was referring specifically to the violence in Trincomalee town and suburbs where Tamil civilians were being targeted by Sinhala mobs aided and abetted by security personnel.

The anti - Tamil violence was sparked off by a grenade explosion in the vegetable market in which many Sinhala persons including two security personnel were killed. Security personnel then went bersek firing at random in Trinco

Thereafter mobs went on the rampage targeting Tamil civilians and businesses.with the support of security personnel mainly comprising members of the navy.

At least 14 were killed and 45 injured in the violence.

A fuel service station run by the Indian Oil Corporation was torched at Anbuvalipuram and employees attacked.

Tamil politicians and community leaders made urgent representations to Indian High Commission authorities in Colombo about the anti - Tamil violence and sought Indian intervention to for their protection.

The issue was given high priority by the High Commission which informed New Delhi of the seriousness of the situation.

This resulted in Prime Minister Singh telephoning President Rajapakse.

Singh urged Rajapakse to ensure the safety and security of civilians in Trincomalee immediately. He expreesed particular concern over the plight of Tamil civilians because of reports that Sinhala mobs backed by Sinhala security personnel were targeting them.

Singh also promised all assistance required by Sri Lanka to curb the violence. He emphasised that despite the provocation the situation should not be allowed to deteriorate further as it may lead to widespread communal conflagration in the Country.

Rajapakse assured Singh that the situation would be brought under control. The Lankan president urgently despatched Investment minister Rohitha Bogollagama and Joint security chief Daya Sandagiri to Trincomalee. The violence began subsiding thereafter with a curfew being declared and security personnel firing in the air to disperse mobs.

Singh’s telephone call to Rajapakse reminded political observers of the 1983 situation where former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi telephoned JR Jayewardene personally and sent foreign minister Narasimha Rao to Sri Lanka. The Lankan Govt began taking steps to quell the 1983 July violence only after India stepped in.

Manmohan Singh however deserves praise for acting quickly to help preeempt the escalation of anti - Tamil violence in Trincomalee. Indian diplomats in Colombo who acted promptly too are to be commended for their speed and concern.

The elections to the legislature in Tamil Nadu state is to be held in May this year.

Meanwhile the Colombo “Daily Mirror” referred to the Manmohan - Mahinda telephone call in a front page report. The report stated as follows:

” Following the spate of grave violence in Trincomalee yesterday President Mahinda Rajapaksa informed Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh about the attacks.

During a telephone conversation between the two leaders, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condemned the attacks and conveyed the regrets of the Indian Government to President Rajapaksa.

The President’s office in a communique said President Rajapaksa told Mr. Singh of the recent spate of attacks on the security forces personnel and in return he received the condolences of the Indian Premier.

The statement further added that the situation in Trincomalee was under control and that Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and North-Central Province Chief Minister Bertie Premalal Dissanayake were in Trincomalee to monitor development in the region.
Police Chief Chandra Fernando was also sent there by the President to strengthen the law and order situation in the troubled area.

Related:
-Anti-Tamil Violence wreaks havoc in Trincomalee
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