CMP/AMP/ALA/AKK/03
On 22nd, December, 1985, Sunday, we were taken away on the first round up. The military had packed people in about 7,8 Lorries and took them away. We were soaked up in rain, we were packed tightly inside and it was so hot. It was such a torture; they took us and beat, kicked and even shot us. Two died on the spot. The rest were taken away. We got caught on 22nd ad taken away on 26th, after the Christmas. They pushed our heads inside the sacks filled with chilies, tied our hands and kicked us hard. That cannot be described through words. When they hit the other person I would feel the pain, when they hit me the others would feel it. They would knock my head with the other person’s hand and I would have to knock the head of the other person. Everyone around should do the same - knocking on heads. By doing that our heads became like tomatoes. Teeth got uprooted. They would kick us wearing boots. I don’t have a count of the number of people they took but they took us in 7 to 8 Lorries. Some got released in 3 days.
Later they sent us to Poosa camp. We got beaten up even there. They called it a welcome treat. They tortured us everywhere. The food was unpalatable; it was like food for donkeys. Only by experience one could feel the effect of those tortures. Instead of catching the real terrorists, they caught us.
On the first round up that too place in Akkaraipaththu, they took about 122 people. We were reassured saying that we would be released in 3 months. We had the scars of their beating on our back for about two and a half years. They expected us to agree whatever they do. Did you give rice? Did you go for training?... even if we haven’t done anything, we would get released if we say yes. We were tortured terribly, some things that they have done to torture us cannot even be told.
My teeth had come off… got beaten up with boots. They would hit us with their guns in our heads and backs while holding the heads down. Brother of Thevaraj, Suntharalingam, he was also one of us. He had gone through hardships. “What work you do? Let me see your hands” they would ask us in Sinhalese. If the hands were rough they would be suspicious. Hands would get rough even if we work in paddy fields holding the hoe. They would say that we are lying and would hit us.
They would pull our nails out. Prick us with headpins. Hit us with batons. It’s the work of 4th floor CIDs. To inquire us they would come from there. Many CID officers would be inquiring us separately. They kept us for 3 years, even though they said it would be only for 3 months. Some of us were taken to Palawaththa. We felt a bit free over there, since we were found innocents. We could sleep on mats. Also received bed and pillows. We would play Dam and Karam freely. We were there for 6 months. We received several trainings there – Mulberry course, carpenter, wiring, driving etc.
Later when the Indian Army came they gradually released us. From Poosa we were taken to Palawaththa in Mathugama district. There we saw the blood stained places where the Cheguevara people were locked up, it was very scary. During the Cheguevara time they have kept many people there. The places were so bloody. They took us and showed those places.
Even after release, Indian army took me and beat me. They kept me for a week. How much we could endure? They would take us if they feel suspicious. Even the Movement people would take us on suspicious, but would release after inquiry.
I was born in Akkarapaththu, studied there and even got caught in there. During that time we supported all. We gave rice and water. We didn’t go for the training in India. But our entire neighborhood was supporting them. We too should show our support, if not what sort of Tamils are we? That time we did paddy cultivation. Those who did paddy cultivation would give them rice packed in boxes. We would cook rice for 10, 15 people and deliver them.
At that time if the situation was conducive for us we would have also joined them. In Colombo they dig out the eyes including Kuttymani and Jegan’s. We haven’t directly seen them. We saw these news in notices. How much injustice happened to Tamils? We heard about what Premadasa did. We are Tamils right?
Now I am 59. I got married when I was 23. They arrested me when I was 25, no life for me after that. My wife died. I have children, my daughter got married. Beating me when I was 25, how much effect that would have on me? Now I am sick, wouldn’t know where I would fall down. Now I work as a driver. I have an auto.
Our life is destroyed. We cannot recreate that. We went through hardship; our children shouldn’t be going through such pain. Our children should not experience such difficulties, sorrow. Even if the terrorism reemerges, we are in a mentality to protest them. It’s not necessary. Nobody can do anything. Those who have entered politics are having a comfortable life. They don’t think about others, they do, only when they enter politics. Parliament has old Cheguevara people with them… our Tamil Alliance also there. They cannot talk anything. Even if they attempt to talk, they are not united. They don’t think about others, it’s not possible to think about others. They expected that they could achieve. But never know what would happen.