COLOMBO: The Tamil media in Sri Lanka has also commented on the statements made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on the 1971 events, which led to the birth of Bangladesh.

The Colombo-based Tamil daily, Sudar Oli, in an editorial, titled `The boast of Rahul Gandhi,' questioned Mr. Gandhi's remarks that the Nehru family never wavered from its commitment. It claimed that India's policy towards Sri Lanka was a case in point.

"Since this statement about the boast of glory of the Nehru family has relevance to the welfare of the Sri Lankan Tamils, we have a legitimate right to raise certain issues with Rahul Gandhi, who claims to be the political successor of the Nehru family," it said.

"Commitment revoked"

Little did Mr. Gandhi realise that since a leader of his family "revoked a commitment of another leader of his family, the entire Tamil people of Sri Lanka are today victims of a great human tragedy and suffering."

"In fact, having liberated Bangladesh, Indira Gandhi had a great yearning to be the liberator of the Tamils and to ensure the success of the liberation fight of the Lankan Tamil people. The Lankan Tamil nationalism and their liberation struggle made gigantic strides consequent to the inspiration from Madam Indira Gandhi," the editorial said. It argued that political successors of the Nehru family had a bounden duty to set things "right on the lines" of Madam Indira Gandhi and wanted to know, "What is Rahul Gandhi's response?"

Four killed in Batticaloa

In continuing incidents of violence in the north and the east, at least four people were killed on Tuesday. The Army said LTTE cadres shot dead a woman and a man in a house at Kovilkudiyiruppu in Kaluvanchikudy police division in Batticaloa district. The LTTE blamed the military for the killings.

MIG-27 fighters and Kfir jets of the Air Force carried out precision strikes on an "identified LTTE training facility" at Wattappalai, south of Puthukkudiyiruppu in the Tiger-controlled Mullaitivu district in the morning.

The Defence Ministry said the LTTE leadership was maintaining silence over the attack.

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