Plantation Tamils
Subjected To Terror
During the recent communal violence directed at the
minority Tamils of Sri Lanka, the plantation workers
of Indian origin were subjected to an unprecedented
degree of terror. Mr. S. Thondaman who is a Cabinet
Minister in the present Government of Sri Lanka, and
also the Trade Union leader of the plantation workers
made the following statement protesting at the terror
and violence suffered by these workers:
"We met His Excellency the President this morning to
apprise him of our deep distress and concern over the
wave of violence that has been spreading over various
parts of the island, unchecked, causing untold misery
and hardship to various sections of the population
during the past few days.
"We reiterated our position that the mob rule which
seems to be the order of the day in many parts of the
country should be brought to an end without any further
delay, as it had already resulted in the loss of many
should say so that the people worth of property.
"In spite, of the assurance given by the Government,
the law and order situation had deteriorated as mob
rule seems to persist and the people are in a state of
perpetual terror as to what will happen to them next
after what they have experienced in the past.
"The very fact that even plantation workers,
innocent of any political crimes, have been singled out
for murder and mayhem, has created a feeling among the
people that the thousands of hooligans covertly enjoy
the patronage of powerful personalities.
"If the Government is unable to put an end to the
mot rule forthwith, it should say so that the people
themselves could take the necessary precautions for
their safety and security of both persons and property:
The time has now , come, when the people, exhausted of
all their patience want ark unequivocal end to this
reign of terror by thugs.
"His Excellency appreciated our position and said
that he was carefully studying all reports and that he
would take all measures to ensure the law and order
situation in the country". Tamil Times, September
1981
