8/28/2007

Civilian sources in Wanni revealed that eight LTTE tax collectors had been executed publicly by the supporters of Pottu Amman, at Vattakachchi in Kilinochchi two weeks ago.

According to these sources, Pottu Amman, Intelligence Leader of the LTTE, had informed the public that the eight cadres had to be executed because they had misappropriated funds of the terror outfit. The eight victims were said to have been shot dead on a playground in front of a large gathering.

However, a civilian who had managed to escape to government controlled areas recently told defence.lk that the actual reason for the killing was because they criticized the LTTE leaders who used funds for personal ends.

"Those victims were educated youth. They were unhappy about the extortion of poor civilians, and what is being done to the money so collected" he said

"They dared to criticize the LTTE leaders those who misuse funds for their personal ends" he added.

Defence.lk further learned from these sources that the victims had openly criticized Pottu Amman for being the most fraudulent leader. The informed speculation is that Pottu Amman has been able to misappropriate a large sum of money, by showing that he had used it for "clandestine" operations.

Meanwhile, the leadership disputes among the senior ranks in the LTTE are also known to be getting worse. Intelligence sources said they had received information indicating that Terror Chief V. Prabhakaran has now been reduced to a virtual figurehead, while powerful leaders such as Thamilchelvam, Pottu Amman and Balraj are fighting each other for more status. The sources further said that Soosai, leader of LTTE's rudimentary navy, has already been removed from the scene.

It has also been reported that the facilities given to the LTTE military leader for Mannar, Lakshman, had been removed recently. The vehicles and the escorts given to Lakshman are said to have been reduced by the Wanni leadership, blaming him for failing to recruit sufficient cadre from the area.