E-Paper
LTTE enforces its own land laws in Sri Lanka
The LTTE has announced laws to govern land rights and land distribution in the areas under its control, reoprts PK Balachandran.
The LTTE has announced laws to govern land rights and land distribution in the areas under its control in Sri Lanka.
The laws came into force on Friday, the rebel outfit's law department said in a notification, according to the Tamil daily Sudar Oli.
Under these laws, the LTTE has arrogated to itself the right to acquire land for "public purposes"; to distribute land among the landless; re-allocate refugees' lands to relatives of their choice; and to fix land prices.
Tamil sources say that the LTTE has taken this step because the Sri Lankan government's machinery does not function in the LTTE-controlled areas in North and East Sri Lanka in the same way as it does in other parts of the country.
The government's presence is minimal, if not absent.
There is a Government Agent (like a District Magistrate or District Collector), but his functions are minimal.
The government's police and legal structure are absent. The Sri Lanka police are barred from entering the LTTE-controlled areas.
The LTTE has for long been having its own courts, laws and police to administer areas under its control.
Some political analysts say that the enactment of land laws indicates the LTTE's desire to show the world that it is in full control of the land it occupies.
