Rajiv Gandhi

Killing of the Indian Prime Mnister Rajiv Gandhi

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Bala reveals Rajiv - Prabha secret accord - By D. b. s. jeyaraj (Sunday Leader : 21 Dec 2003) Four Rajiv Gandhi killers to hang on Nov 5 (Daily News : 16 Oct 1999) Hanging of Rajiv assassins set for November 5 (Indian Express : 16 Oct 1999) Penchant for photographic record nailed LTTE (Rediff : 27 Jan 1998) SIT built up a huge bank of material evidence against LTTE (Rediff : 28 Jan 1998) Prabhakaran had Rajiv killed for being 'anti-Tamil' (Rediff : 28 Jan 1998) V Gopalsamy, three other witnesses turned hostile (Rediff : 28 Jan 1998) 25 LTTE militants committed suicide during the probe (Rediff : 28 Jan 1998) The Rajiv assassination: What happened, when (Rediff : 28 Jan 1998) The Accused (Rediff : 28 Jan 1998) Political assassination not new for LTTE (Rediff : 28 Jan 1998) 26 sentenced to death in Rajiv Gandhi assassination (CNN World News : 28 January 1998) 26 sentenced to death for Rajiv Gandhi's assassination (Rediff : 28 Jan 1998) Longest assassination trial reaches appeals stage (Rediff : 28 Jan 1998)

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Judgment first of its kind in India's legal histo (Rediff : 28 Jan 1998) Diabolic motives, 'inhumaneness' earned 'harsh' verdict (Rediff : 29 Jan 1998) CIA-Mossad-LTTE link in Rajiv Gandhi murder - Jain Commission (Daily News : 18 July 1998) Monday, July 13, 1998 Jain `spares' Tamils but says Karunanidhi should've been questioned (Indian Express: 14 July 1998) Intelligence agencies could have "averted national tragedy" (Express India : 12 July 1998) Probe Chandraswami's role in Rajiv case -- Jain report (Indian Express : 11 June 1998) Jain `spares' Tamils but says Karunanidhi should've been questioned (Indian Express : 13 July 1998) Foreign help to LTTE in Rajiv murder plot (Daily News : 4 August 1998) LTTE met Rajiv to hide its plot: judge (Rediff : 29 January 1999) Diabolic motives, 'inhumaneness' earned 'harsh' verdict (Rediff : 29 Jan 1999) Gandhi plotters acquitted (BBC South Asia : 11 May 1999) Response guarded in Sri Lanka (Hindu : 12 May 1999) Death sentence confirmed for four (Hindu : 12 May 1999) 4 sentenced to death, lifer for 3 in Rajiv assassination case (Hindu NUS : 11 May 1999) Gandhi plotters acquitted (BBC South Asia ; 11 May 1999) Response to SC verdict guarded in Sri Lanka (Hindu NUS : 11 May 1999) Death sentence to 4, life sentence to 3 in Rajiv case (Hindustan Times : 11 may 1999) Coincidence of the month of May in Rajiv assassination case (Hindustan Times : 11 May 1999) Cong. demands security for acquitted in Rajiv case (Hindu NUS : 15 May 1999) Rajiv murder case: convicts to file review petition (Hindu NUS : 14 May 1999) Acquitted person aided in handling funds for killers (Indian Express : 14 May 1999) Renganath ready to reveal assassination details to MDMA (Daily News : 14 May 1999) Sri Lankan Army's gesture to ex-LTTE men (Hindu : 14 May 1999) Take steps to nab LTTE chief, Swamy tells Govt (Hindustan Times : 13 May 1999) Rajiv Gandhi assassination case (Daily News : 13 May 1999) Acquitted Lankans may be shifted to refugee camps (Indian Express : 13 May 1999) Acquitted person to reveal assassination details to MDMA (Indian Express : 13 May 1999) LTTE supremo could still be tried in Rajiv case (Hindustan Times : 13 May 1999) Rajiv's killing not an act of terrorism: SC ( The Times Of India : 13 May 1999) Rajiv case: Sri Lankan parties welcome verdict (Hindu : NUS 12 May 1999)

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Death sentences in Rajiv case opposed (Hindu NUS : 12 May 1999) Death sentence for Rajiv assasins "fair" : Lanka intelligentsia (Indian Express : 12 May 1999) Death rap for four in Rajiv case upheld (Indian Express : 12 May 1999) Death for four LTTEers (Daily News : 12 May 1999) Rajiv assassination trial verdict today (Island : 12 May 1999) Prabakaran, Pottu Amman not charged (Island : 12 May 1999) Four to hang for Rajiv Gandhi murder (Island : 12 May 1999) Response guarded in Sri Lanka (Hindu : 12 May 1999) Death sentence confirmed for four (Hindu : 12 May 1999) Response guarded in Sri Lanka (The Hindu : 12 May 1999) SC to decide fate of 26 accused in Rajiv assassination case tomorrow (Rediff : 10 May 1999) 4 sentenced to death, lifer for 3 in Rajiv assassination case (Hindu NUS : 11 May 1999) Gandhi plotters acquitted (BBC South Asia ; 11 May 1999) Response to SC verdict guarded in Sri Lanka (Hindu NUS : 11 May 1999) Death sentence to 4, life sentence to 3 in Rajiv case (Hindustan Times : 11 may 1999) Coincidence of the month of May in Rajiv assassination case (Hindustan Times : 11 May 1999) Death rap for 4 in Rajiv assassination case (Rediff : 11 May 1999) '18 people died in the attack. So why can't 26 convicted hang for it?' (Rediff : 14 May 1999) Plea filed for reopening Rajiv killing probe (Daily News : 22 May 1999) Rajiv appeal rejected (BBC South Asia : 8 Oct 1999) Sentences Upheld in Gandhi Killing (Washington Post : 8 Oct 1999) Court Upholds Death Sentences In Gandhi Killing (ABC News : 8 Oct 1999)

How LTTE murderers killed Rajiv Gandhi RAJIV GANDHI ASSASINATION

FIVE YEARS AFTER THE BRUTAL ASSASSINATION OF FORMER INDIAN PRIME MINISTER RAJIV GANDHI, THE CRACK SPECIAL INVESTIGATION (SIT) HAS MANAGED TO EDGE CONSIDERABLY CLOSER TO UNRAVELLING THE COMPLEX PLOT BEHIND THE SHOCKI NG CRIME THAT STUNNEDTHE NATION.

Click here for full details

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Rajiv Gandhi

The reply to Prof. A. J. V. Chandrakanathan's (Concordia University, Montreal, Canada) open letter sent to Ms Lisa Hiller of the UNDP

Publications of the Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry

sri lanka foreign affairs.jpg (7109 bytes)

Click here for more Current Affairs

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Rajiv Gandhi

Back to SPUR Main Page

Latest News from Sri Lanka SPUR Current Affairs LTTE activities in South Africa Help Heroic Sons of Sri Lanka Sinhala Commission & Devolution Package Maradana Bomb Artificial Limbs Project Read about LTTE atrocities "De Sarana (Help the Nation) Project Sri Dalada Maligawa Bomb Attack US State Department News Demonstrations against LTTE Sapumal Project LTTE activities in Canada

Click here for Latest News .....

News in May 1999 News in Jan 1999 News in Aug 1998 CURRENT ISSUES News in Dec 1998 News in July 1998 News in April 1999 News in Nov 1998 News in June 1998 News in March 1999 News in Oct 1998 News in May 1998 News in Feb 1999 News in Sept 1998 More News Items

Please visit to the Web Page of Sri Lankan High Commission in Australia

CURRENT AFFAIRS Terrorist Mouthpieces Exposed ................ De Sarana (Help the Nation) Project

How the LTTE sacrificed Tamil Children LTTE activities in South Africa The Facts About So Called Discrimination

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Rajiv Gandhi

Due to the immense volume of information regarding LTTE Tamil Tiger terrorism, it is not practically possible for one website to publish all of it. Therefore, we have included a list of informative sites that can help in your search for the ultimate truth!
Lanka Web from United Kingdom Save Our Sri Lanka (SOSL) from USA JAYA SIKURU Web Site KALAYA (Sri Lankan News Analysis) Daily News / Sunday Observer Sinhala Veera Vidahana United Sri Lanka Association, New Zealand Sunday Times Sri Lanka Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Government Official Web Page Leader Newspaper SINHAYA from United Kingdom Eliminate LTTE TERRORISM (Umberto Gui) Lanka OUTLOOK Magazine (United Kingdom) Voice of Lanka (USA) FOSUS from USA
Ceylon Lanka Information Page

Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry Lankadeepa (Sinhala) Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry Bulletin Sri Lanka News Update Island Newspaper

US State Department Statements

WORLD OPINION about LTTE

Media Releases from Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry

LTTE Tamil Tiger Atrocities

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Massacre of Sinhala, Tamil & Muslim Villagers Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy (World Heritage Centre) Central Bank, Colombo Galadhari Hotel Bomb Aluthgama Train Blast Slave Island Bomb on 6 February 1998 LTTE Plot to assassinate President of Sri Lanka

Serial Killings of some of the Parliamentarians Maradana Bomb Rajiv Gandhi Army Headquarters Bomb Blast in Galle on 28 December 1997 Awakening the Weli Oya Villagers

Ethnic Cleansing in Sri Lanka

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The Sunday Leader Online - Spotlight

21st December, 2003 Volume 10, Issue 23

Home News Politics Issues focus Editorial Spotlight Insight Sports Business Review Arts Letters Nutshell Interviews Fashion Archives Rajive Gandhi By D. b. s. jeyaraj Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Chief Negotiator and Political Strategist, Anton Stanislaus Balasingham has revealed in a recent book that former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Tiger Leader Velupillai Pirapaharan had entered into a secret "gentlemen's agreement" in the early hours of July 29, 1987 in New Delhi. Balasingham says that it was only after entering into a "Rajiv-Prabha accord" around 2 a.m. that the Indian Premier flew to Colombo at 9 a.m. to sign the Indo-Lanka accord with Junius Richard Jayewardene at 3 p.m. the same day. According to Balasingham former AIADMK Tamil Nadu State Minister "Panrutti" S. Ramachandran was present during this historic meeting between Rajiv and Prabha. He says that the LTTE supremo neveragreed to the terms of the Indo-Lanka accord when provisions of it were shown. Rajiv apparently accepted the LTTE position and only wanted the Tigers to refrain from opposing it in public. Piraphaaran

FOCUS

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Rajiv also agreed to let the Tigers make a token surrender of old and useless arms for exhibitionistic purposes. He also agreed to awarding a dominant position on the north east Interim Administration (IA) to the LTTE. Gandhi also agreed to pay Indian Rs. 5 million per mensem to the LTTE to carry on their administration without taxing the people. He also assured the LTTE that he would see to it that then President Jayewardene would never implement the provision regarding the referendum to de-merge the north and east. Secret understanding Bala reveals all these and more in his new book Viduthalai or Liberation released early this month in London. The book is a collection of essays and articles. One of them is about the Rajiv-Praba meeting and their secret understanding. The article has been carried in instalments in the LTTE newspaper Eelanatham published in the north. It is titled "Rajiv-Piraba Santhippu: Eluthappadaatha Oru Oppantham" (Rajiv-Prabha meeting: An unwritten agreement). Balasingham notes that while everyone knows about the written agreement between Rajiv and JR signed on July 29, 1987 few people know about the agreement reached between Rajiv and Prabha. The talks started on July 29th night and went on till after midnight and concluded around 2 a.m. on July 29th. He says the Rajiv administration kept this a closely guarded secret. As a person involved in the exercise, Bala says that it is his important duty to record this historic agreement. Pirapaharan, Balasingham, Yogi and Thileepan were "invited" to New Delhi and placed under house arrest at Hotel Ashok in New Delhi. Attempts were made to force down the proposed Indo-Lanka accord down the Tiger throats. The LTTE resisted. The fact that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. G. Ramachandran also sided with the LTTE on this made the position difficult and embarrassing for Rajiv Gandhi. In a change of tactics Rajiv decided to woo Prabha personally and obtain his approval before embarking to Sri Lanka on July 29. So close upon midnight on July 28th Indian officials woke up the sleeping Tigers and summoned them to a meeting with the Indian Premier. So Prabha, Bala and Yogi left under armed "Black Cat Commando" escort to meet Rajiv, leaving Thileepan behind at Ashok. Personal welcome Rajiv himself welcomed the Tigers at the entrance of his residence. Along with him was M. Narayanan, then head of the CBI and Panrutti S Ramachandran, a minister in MGR's Tamil Nadu administration. According to Bala this was the first time Rajiv and Prabha were meeting face to face. "I have heard a lot about you. I am happy to meet you now," greeted a smiling Rajiv. As the meeting progressed Rajiv asked Prabha about the dissatisfaction the Tiger chief had in regard to the proposed accord that had been shown to the Tigers earlier. He wanted the LTTE to pinpoint the shortcomings in the draft. Prabha asked Bala to relate them. There upon Balasingham expressed LTTE
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criticism of the proposed agreement on an itemised basis. Chief among these were the proposal to de-merge the north and east by referendum, the limited scope of devolution envisaged and the 72 hour deadline to surrender arms. Rajiv listened attentively and took down notes. Thereafter, according to Balasingham, Rajiv had said "Our government is sincerely involved in trying to find a just solution to the problems of your people. Your cooperation is vital to us in this. As you have pointed out there are certainly flaws in this accord. The provisions regarding a provincial council are only temporary arrangements. I will talk to Jayewardene later and try to rectify them. I will also persuade Jayewardene to postpone the referendum indefinitely. You must trust the Indian government. We are acting with great concern about the welfare of the Tamils. So we need your support. This accord will win back the rights of the Tamil people and ensure their security. Your supporting the accord will strengthen our hands." Rejected Panrutti Ramachandran interpreted Rajiv's comments in Tamil for Prabha. According to Bala the LTTE Leader responded thus "This agreement does not serve the interests of the Tamil people. On the contrary it affects their interests adversely. Therefore we cannot accept this accord," said Prabha with firm conviction. Rajiv understood the position. He realised that Prabha will stand firm in his beliefs. Rajiv did not want to seriously disagree with the LTTE and worsen the situation. So he altered his approach suddenly. Rajiv said "I understand your position. I am not asking you to change your decision or policy. You don't have to accept this accord. But if you don't oppose it openly that would be enough." Immediately Ramachandran jumped in enthusiastically. "See the PM himself has agreed to your stance. You don't have to accept the accord. That's your position. No need to accept it. But the Prime Minister is only requesting you to refrain from opposing it publicly.Don't you think you can oblige the Indian government in this small matter?" queried Ramachandran on behalf of Rajiv. Bala observes that the reason for Ramachandran being present became clear then. Both Prabha and Bala were not satisfied with Rajiv's and Ramachandran's explanation. "If we don't accept something then does it not mean that we are opposed to it?" whispered Prabha in Bala's ear. According to Bala, Rajiv realised that he could not satisfy us by differentiating between "not accepting" and "opposing." He took off in a new direction. "Even we know that your movement and the Tamil people at large have no faith in Jayewardene. We
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also don't trust him but we have exerted tremendous pressure on him and formulated this agreement. Even though there are deficiencies in the provincial council scheme don't you think that we can hold further talks in the future and enhance autonomous powers for the Tamils? Also it is not possible to implement this provincial council scheme immediately. We need some time. Prior to that we can set up an interim administration for the north and east. Your organisation can be given the major role in that. I am prepared to enter into a secret agreement with you regarding that interim government," said Rajiv then, says Bala now. Then Panruti Ramachandran chipped in again. "Don't let slip this opportunity. This is a fine chance to establish a Tiger administration in the Tamil homeland. Don't reject the proposal to enter into a secret pact with the Prime Minister of India. Don't worry too much about the Indo-Lanka accord. The RajivPrabha accord is going to materialise before that. There is no need to publicise this. We can keep it as a secret," he said. Well rehearsed Balasingham goes on to observe that everything seemed a well-rehearsed drama. Pirapaharan did not trust anyone or anything. He seemed totally disinterested. But Ramachandran kept on eagerly trying to structure a Rajiv-Prabha agreement. It was decided to set up an interim administration for the north and east and provide majority representation on it to the LTTE. Rajiv wanted all Tamil militant outfits in Eelam to be represented on it. Prabha disagreed. Finally it was agreed that the TULF and EROS will get limited representation on the IA. Rajiv gave assurances about the formation, powers and functions of the proposed interim administration. Prabha demanded that Sinhala colonisation of the Tamil homeland must end and that opening of new police stations in the north and east by the Sinhala government should cease. Rajiv Gandhi agreed to both says Balasingham. Rajiv then asked Prabha as to whether the LTTE could stop its taxation of the people. He said that the Jayewardene government was complaining thatthe Tigers were forcibly taxing the Jaffna people. Prabha replied that the taxes were used to finance the LTTE's administrative costs. If the Indian government provided that money, the LTTE was prepared to end taxation said Prabha. Rajiv then asked "How much are you earning through taxes for a month?" Prabha said it was about a crore or Sri Lankan Rs. 10 million. "If so, it will amount to about Indian Rs. 50 lakhs, I will give you that money," promised Rajiv. Finally the question of arms surrender arose says Bala. "We are not asking you to surrender all your weapons. A small amountbeing surrendered as a gesture of goodwill is enough. The Indian peace keeping force will protect the people and the militants in the north and east. A ceasefire with the Sinhala armed forces will continue. In such an environment you will not be needing all your weapons," said the Indian Prime Minister. Instead of replying Prabha was immersed in deep thought. Panruti Ramachandran interrupted again. "What is there to think about? It is enough if you give back
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some of the old, unusable, rusty weapons from the arsenal given by India," he suggested. Prabha replied in mocking tones "All the weapons given by India were like that." "Then its all right no? Give back some of those weapons. When the time comes the Indian governmentwill replenish those with new weapons, no," said Minister Ramachandran. He then translated in English what he told Prabha for Rajiv's benefit. The PM nodded in agreement says Balasingham. The time was around 2 a. m. Rajiv was scheduled to leave for Colombo at 9 a.m. and sign the accord at 3 p.m. Rajiv seemed happy that he had arrived at an agreement of some sort with Pirapaharan. Pirapaharan was not happy. His face clearly indicated it. Ramachandran was smirking as if he had achieved something great. We were all tired due to sleeplessness." When the meeting was about to end, Balasingham asked Panrutti Ramachandran "We spoke about a lot of matters concerning the Rajiv-Prabha agreement. The Premier has given a lot of promises. Why don't we write these up briefly and get the PM to sign and endorse it?" Money matters After some thought Ramachandran replied. "There are many controversial matters in this secret accord. There are money matters. There is the arms surrender issue. If these things become public there will be a political cyclone in India and Sri Lanka. Don't you have faith in the Prime Minister?This is a gentlemen's agreement. Let this be an unwritten accord between two great people," he said and interpreted what he said in English to Rajiv Gandhi. "You don't have to worry about anything. I will implement my promises. Let this be as the Minister said an unwritten gentlemen's agreement," said Rajiv. Bala says that he did not want to contradict the PM at the final stage of the meeting. "Finally he agreed to remove our detention and make arrangements to be sent back to Tamil Eelam." We bade farewell to Rajiv and reached Ashok Hotel around 3 a. m. Prabha told Bala "Anna wait and see. These secret accords and pledges will never ever be implemented. The whole thing is a deceptive trick," and entered his room in a state of frustration. Later Balasingham related to Thileepan what had transpired. After listening intently Thileepan asked "What does Annai (Prabha) say?" Bala replied "Prabha is not happy. He is firmly convinced that this will not work." After deep thought Thileepan said "What Annai (Prabha) said will only take place." Finally Balasingham goes on to say "That is what happened. The secret accord was not implemented. The IA was not set up. Thileepan angered by Rajiv Gandhi's non-implementation of pledges given to Pirapaharan went on a death fast to expose India to the world at large. By sacrificing his life Thileepan did so. The unwritten Rajiv-Prabha agreement exploded as a political earthquake. It created a tremendous upsurge in Tamil Eelam." The article by Balasingham makes interesting reading and throws new light on Indo-Tiger relations
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The Sunday Leader Online - Spotlight

before the accord. Details of the Rajiv-Prabha understanding are revealed for the first time. It also explains several consequent developments that are well known.

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Rediff On The NeT: SIT built up a huge bank of material evidence against LTTE

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January 28, 1998 ELECTIONS '98 COMMENTARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL DEAR REDIFF THE STATES YEH HAI INDIA! ARCHIVES

SIT built up a huge bank of material evidence against LTTE

Materials seized from hideouts, on the high seas and even the skies, formed part of the exhaustive 1,180 material objects produced by the prosecution to fortify its case before the designated court which conducted the Rajiv Gandhi assassination trial. The reconstructed free-size churidar worn by the assassin Dhanu to conceal the belt bomb, an improvised bomb itself, remnants of batteries used to trigger the blast, were among the exhibits. They also included a Japanese-made Chinon camera used by the dead photographer Haribabu to take the crucial 10 snaps, including the blast itself, and an artificial eye used by Sivarasan who masterminded the assassination. Two letters in the name of Dhanu and stand-by assassin Subha addressed to LTTE intelligence chief Pottu Amman and women's wing leader Akila were recovered from a suitcase buried on the sands of the Kodiakarai coast on July 25, 1991. Sivarasan's artificial eye was found at the home of Jayakumar, the tenth accused, at suburban Kodungaiyur in Madras. Two other letters written by deceased accused 'Gundu' Shantan to LTTE chief Prabakaran on the success of the 'mission' were seized on the high seas off Rameswaram from Irumborai, the ninteenth accused, while he was proceeding to Jaffna on October 3, 1991. Apart from these, the CBI's Special Investigation Team had also produced wireless coded messages sent to the LTTE high command on the "progress of the mission" which were subsequently decoded by an expert in the Intelligence Bureau. Video-cassettes showing the dry-run conducted by the assassination squad at the public meeting addressed by former prime minister V P Singh in April, a month before Rajiv's assassination, and MDMK general secretary V Gopalsamy addressing students in Palayamkottai affirming that the LTTE chief was not satisfied with the Indo-Sri Lankan accord and describing Rajiv Gandhi as a

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Rediff On The NeT: SIT built up a huge bank of material evidence against LTTE

"betrayer", are among other exihibits. Video-cassettes of Dhanu leading the women cadres at a parade in Jaffna and Sivarasan participating in the second death anniversary of LTTE leader Dhileepan were also produced before the court. Completing the tally of exhibits were the Maruti Gypsy and the tanker used for transporting Sivarasan, Subha and others from Madras to Bangalore when the SIT was in hot pursuit of them. Tell us what you think of this report
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Rediff On The NeT: Prabhakaran had Rajiv killed for being 'anti-Tamil'

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January 28, 1998 ELECTIONS '98 COMMENTARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL DEAR REDIFF THE STATES YEH HAI INDIA! ARCHIVES

Prabhakaran had Rajiv killed for being 'anti-Tamil'

Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran, who had been declared as a proclaimed offender in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, decided to eliminate the former prime minister as he considered Gandhi to be against the Tamil liberation struggle. Prabhakaran, who had retreated to the jungles and had been forced by the operations of the Indian Peace Keeping Force to hide there for over two years, feared that Gandhi might re-induct, what he termed the "satanic force" if he staged a comeback in the 1991 election. Gandhi's commitment to ensure Sri Lanka's sovereignty and the upswing in his poll-eve popularity, hastened the LTTE to execute its designs. Prabhakaran's doubts grew when he believed the IPKF handed over 17 key LTTE militants apprehended during the operations to the Sri Lankan forces. Twelve of them ended their lives by consuming cyanide while being handed over instead of being released as demanded by the LTTE. Following this, Prabhakaran vowed to fight the IPKF and the Indo-Sri Lankan accord. The installation of an elected government in north-east Lanka sans LTTE, also added to Prabhakaran's wrath towards him. The conspiracy to assassinate Gandhi was hatched in the jungles of Jaffna by Prabhakaran, his intelligence chief Pottu Amman and women's wing leader Akila, the last two being proclaimed offenders in the case. Sivarasan, who had eliminated EPRLF leader Padmanabha and 13 others in Madras in June 1990, was chosen to execute the conspiracy. Two or three groups sent by Sivarasan, landed in Tamil Nadu under the guise of refugees and they took up residence in Madras and its suburbs, got acquainted with local Tamils and also used them in furtherance of the plot. In the crucial second stage of the execution of the plan, Sriharan alias Murugan, a hardcore LTTE militant and the third accused in the case, arrived in Madras in

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Rediff On The NeT: Prabhakaran had Rajiv killed for being 'anti-Tamil'

February 1991. He made all arrangements to achieve the object of conspiracy and in the process, befriended Nalini, a city-based girl, cited as the first accused in the case. When Rajiv's tour programme was made public, the assassination squad met a day before the assassination at the home of Nalini's mother Padma, the twentyfirst accused. After giving the finishing touches, the team offered prayers for the success of the "mission" and left for Sriperumbudur around 1700 hours by bus and reached the venue ahead of time. Tell us what you think of this report
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Rediff On The NeT: 25 LTTE militants committed suicide during the probe

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January 28, 1998 ELECTIONS '98 COMMENTARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL DEAR REDIFF THE STATES YEH HAI INDIA! ARCHIVES

25 LTTE militants committed suicide during the probe

As many as 25 LTTE militants committed suicide during the investigation of the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. The suicides were mainly to conceal secrets. Among those who committed suicide were Sivarasan -- the 'one-eyed-Jack,' standby assassin Subha, Nehru, Gundu Santhan, Suresh, Dixon, Amman, Kirti and Jamila, all accused in the case. Mirasdar Shanmugham, an LTTE sympathiser and another accused, later committed suicide by hanging himself at Kodiakadu near Vedaranyam. A majority of the LTTE cadres bit deadly cyanide capsules to end their lives. The SIT and CBI had to overcome a blind alley every time they encountered a suicide death. Some of the suicide notes left behind blamed the SIT for relentlessly pursuing them. Tell us what you think of this report
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Rediff On The NeT: Chronology of events

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January 28, 1998 ELECTIONS '98 COMMENTARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL DEAR REDIFF THE STATES YEH HAI INDIA! ARCHIVES

The Rajiv assassination: What happened, when

A chronology of events from the day of Rajiv Gandhi's assassination up to the judgment of the case. May 21, 1991 1900 hours: Former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi arrives at the Madras airport from Visakhapatnam en route to Sriperumbudur. 2200 hours: Reaches Sriperumbudur and garlands Indira Gandhi's statue. 2220 hours: Assassinated before he could address an election rally. Seventeen others, including Dhanu the human bomb perish in the bomb blast. May 22, 1991: State police registers case and recovers the camera which films the assassination and other evidences from the scene. D R Karthikeyan, the senior Central Bureau of Investigation officer tipped to be in charge of the investigation, visits the scene of blast. May 24, 1991: The CBI forms the Special Investigation Team. Karthikeyan takes over as SIT chief. Judge S M Siddick appointed judge of the designated court to try the case. May 25, 1991: Sivarasan, stand by assassin Subha, Nalini and two others visit Tirupati, worship and return the next day. May 26, 1991: Sivarasan packs up Subha to Pollachi. She returns to the city later. June 11, 1991:

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Rediff On The NeT: Chronology of events

Bhagyanathan and Padma held. The first arrest in the case. June 14, 1991: Nalini, the first accused, and her husband Murugan arrested. June 28, 1991: Sivarasan, Subha and others escape in an empty tanker from Madras to Bangalore. They reach Bangalore the next day. August 18, 1991: The SIT traps Sivarasan and others in their Konanakunte hide-out in suburban Bangalore. Sivarasan shoots himself and Subha and five others consume cyanide and die. August 29, 1991: Rangan, the last accused in the case, arrested. May 20, 1992: SIT files chargesheet before the designated court. May 5, 1993: Pre-trial begins in the high security prison at suburban Poonamallee. November 2, 1993: Pre-trial proceedings end. November 24, 1993: Charges framed against the accused. January 19, 1994: In-camera trial and examination of witnesses begin.

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Rediff On The NeT: Chronology of events

May 29, 1994: LTTE chief Vellupillai Prabhakaran, intelligence chief Pottu Amman and women's wing leader Akila declared as proclaimed offenders. June 3, 1994: The Indian government sends requisitions to Sri Lankan government seeking extradition of Prabhakaran, Pottu Amman and Akila. December 30, 1996: V Navaneetham takes over as judge after Judge Siddickk is appointed a judge of the Madras high court. June 21, 1997: Questioning of the accused based on the deposition of the witnesses begins. July 21, 1997: Prosecution begins summing up of the case and ends it on August 11, 1997. August 14, 1997: Presentation of defence case begins and ends on November 5, 1997. November 5, 1997: The marathon trial ends. Judge reserves orders for January 28. January 28, 1997: Judge finds all 26 accused guilty, says LTTE was responsible for Rajiv's death. Tell us what you think of this report
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Rediff On The NeT: The Accused

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January 28, 1998 ELECTIONS '98 COMMENTARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL DEAR REDIFF THE STATES YEH HAI INDIA! ARCHIVES

The Accused
The 26 who have been sentenced to death in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case: S Nalini, 33: Arrested on June 14, 1991 with husband Sriharan alias Murugan, a hardcore LTTE militant. A local girl, she worked as a steno-typist in a private company. Nalini is the only living member of the five-member assassination squad at the blast site. Faced the maximum number of charges -- provided cover to belt-bomb assassin Dhanu and her standby Subha. Accompanied the duo to a textile shop to purchase the churidar which Dhanu wore to conceal the bomb. Gave birth to a female child while in custody. Santhan alias T Suthendraraja, 28: Arrested on July 22, 1991. A hardcore LTTE militant, he functioned as a vital link for the conspirators and was a confidant of Sivarasan. It was through him that Sivarasan communicated with the other accused. Sriharan alias Murugan, 24: Arrested on July 14, 1991. Another confidant of Sivarasan and a hardcore LTTE militant. Indoctrinated Nalini and groomed her as a companion for Dhanu and Subha. Sankar alias Koneswaran, 32: Arrested on June 7, 1991 at Vedaranyam in Tamil Nadu. Hardcore LTTE militant and Sivarasan's lieutenant. Nalini's phone number in his possession was what led the police to her. Vijayanandan, 50: A Sri Lankan Tamil arrested on May 16, 1992. Helped Sivarasan in finding hideouts. Ruban alias Sivaruban, 24: Arrested on May 16, 1992. A one-legged LTTE militant. Was deputed to Jaipur to find a hideout under the pretext of procuring an artificial leg. Kanagasapathy, 74, and Athirai, 30: Both Sri Lankan Tamils. Were arrested in Delhi on July 4, 1991. Deputed by the LTTE high command to fix hideouts in

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Rediff On The NeT: The Accused

the national capital if it were to be an alternative venue to carry out the assassination. Robert Payas, 30: Arrested on June 18, 1991. A Sri Lankan who arrived in Madras under the guise of a refugee in 1984. Married a local Tamil girl. Sivarasan engaged him to fix hideouts in Pour and Kodungaiyur, on the city outskirts. Jayakumar, 34: A Sri Lankan, arrested on June 26, 1991. Sivarasan and his team stayed in a hideout which he fixed in Kodungaiyur after the assassination. J Shanthi, 30: Jayakumar's wife who was used to fix hideouts. S Vijayan, 34: A Sri Lankan, arrested on July 8, 1992, V Selvalakshmi, 32:: A local Tamil, arrested on May 16, 1992 S Bhaskaran, 65: A local Tamil, arrested on July 8, 1992. Helped in fixing hideouts. S Shanmugavadivelu alias Thambi Anna, 48: A Sri Lankan, arrested on May 16, 1992. A staunch LTTE supporter who financed the hit squad. Harboured Sivarasan and others at Pollachi before they escaped to Bangalore after the assassination. P Ravichandran, 28, and M Suseendran, 34: Two locals trained in handling fire arms in Jaffna. Returned with Sivarasan in December 1990. Arranged hideouts for the gang after the assassination. Arivu alias G Perarivalan, 26: Arrested on June 19, 1991. A local Tamil. Sivarasan used him to purchase batteries for wireless sets and the belt bomb. Irumborai, 36: A local Tamil, arrested on October 3, 1991 on the high seas off Rameswaram. Two important letters, including one to LTTE supremo Prabakaran written by Santhan, an accused who died, were recovered from him. Bhagyanathan, 30, and Padma, 55: Nalini's brother and mother. Arrested on June 11, 1991. They were the first to be arrested. Their house in the city served as a meeting point for the conspirators. Bhagyanathan was running a printing press with the LTTE's financial assistance. Subha Sundaram, 55: A local freelance photographer, arrested on July 2, 1991.
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Rediff On The NeT: The Accused

His studio-cum-office was frequented by top LTTE leaders. Had 'deputed' Hari Babu to film the assassination. Made a vain bid to retrieve the camera from the site. K Dhanasekaran, 46: A local Tamil, arrested on October 13, 1991. It was in his tanker that the assassination squad fled to Bangalore from Pollachi. N Rajasuriya alias Rangan, 34: A Sri Lankan, arrested on September 29, 1991. An expert driver who shifted Sivarasan from place to place before and after the assassination. After Sivarasan, Subha and others were trapped in their Konanakunte hideout in Bangalore, he was nabbed at a busy shopping complex. Vicky alias T Vigneswaran, 35: A Sri Lankan sentenced to five years imprisonment in the Padmanabha murder case. Travelled along with Sivarasan in the tanker to Bangalore. Ranganath, 40: A Bangalore-based Tamil, arrested on August 28, 1991. Harboured Sivarasan, Subha and five others in his house at Konanakunte after the assassination. Tell us what you think of this report
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