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LTTE calls for de-escalation of high security zones

By V.S. Sambandan

JAFFNA JUNE 27. The de-escalation of Sri Lanka's northern high security zones, a key demand of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), took a "civilian turn" with a massive public rally here calling for the vacation of residences and public places "occupied by the Sri Lankan military."

This was the third in a series of "Tamil resurgence" (Pongu Tamil) rallies, organised by peoples' groups in as many years.

C. Ilamparithi, the LTTE's political leader for Jaffna, the key speaker in the rally, organised the students of Jaffna University, said that "despite the ceasefire, signed last year, there had been no improvement in the normal lives of the civilians.

On the contrary, civilian lives had been darkened with fear."

The high security zones had affected the lives of 24,178 families spread across 144.15 sq.km., which includes 12,259 acres of agricultural land and 81.5 km of sea spread, he said.

Referring to last year's ceasefire agreement, which laid out the dates for the military to withdraw from public places, he said the Army had not yet withdrawn from 246 temples, 16 schools and 40 business and public establishments.

Apart from the problems within the zones, the Army "was continuing to occupy 1.215 residences outside them," he said.

Previous Pongu Tamil rallies had emphasised the requirements of the LTTE and included the need to bring an end to the war, commence peace negotiations and recognise the LTTE as the sole representatives.

Today's rally emphasised one of the two crucial demands being raised by the LTTE , one the relocation of the Army from the northern HSZs and the other the granting of an interim administration for the Tigers in the north and east.

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