LTTE Using Vehicles Provided for ‘Norwegian Peoples Aid’

An International Non-Government Organization (INGO) operating in the North of Sri Lanka has been accused of allowing their vehicles to be used by the LTTE for military activities and for propaganda.
The Ministry of Defence claims on its website that the terrorists had obtained these vehicles from the office of an INGO named Norwegian Peoples Aid (NPA) in Kilinochchi, early this week.

The vehicles, which the INGO claims were taken over by the terrorist outfit, include a few heavy earth moving vehicles, four trucks, a tractor, several land cruiser jeeps and a number of motor cycles, the sources said. According to these sources, the INGO had taken this fleet of heavy vehicles to the areas under terrorist control stating they would be used for Humanitarian Aid work in the area. The vehicles are now being used by the terrorists to build bunkers, trenches, terror camps, and to transport terror leaders as well, citing sources Ministry of Defence said.

Observers have expressed their deepest dissatisfaction over the issue as the terrorists can use these vehicles directly to approach civilians for their covert attacks.  Furthermore, this situation creates other problems for security forces and the Police, mandated to protect all civilians, because should such vehicles be checked or attacked in the case of dire necessity, human rights advocates could charge the state of attacking ‘INGOs’ as has been done on previous occasions.

There have been numerous instances where vehicles belonging to such organizations have been found carrying war-like items including grenades, suicide jackets etc., while employees of such organizations have been found to be actively working for the LTTE. In addition, it is well known that the LTTE has used equipment gifted by INGOs for their own purposes and not those intended by such organizations.

Source: Government of Sri Lanka

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