Our relatives have been buried in this land' - Locals halt alleged land grab at Mullaitivu Thuyilum Illam

Local Tamils in Muillaitivu have blocked attempts by the Survey Department of Sri Lanka to allegedly grab land in which the Mullaitivu Thuyilum Illam is situated, a site holding cultural and emotional significance as the resting place for fallen LTTE cadres.

The Survey Department of Sri Lanka reportedly initiated a survey of the privately owned land in Alampil. The alleged intention was to acquire the land illicitly and transfer ownership to the army.

Concerned residents, upon learning of the survey, mobilized against the unauthorized attempt to appropriate the land. In a proactive move to safeguard the site, the villagers composed a letter addressed to the Mullaitivu branch of the Survey Department of Sri Lanka. In the letter, they vehemently expressed their objections and issued a clear warning against any further surveying activities.

The letter stated, "Our relatives have been buried in this land. We have not consented to this land being surveyed, nor will we stand by it being encroached upon. Therefore, we kindly inform you not to survey this land."

This assertive response from the local community underscores the deeply rooted emotional connection to the Mullaitivu Thuyilum Illam, which serves as a final resting place for their loved ones. Tens of thousands of LTTE cadres were buried in these cemeteries across the Tamil homeland. They have since been destroyed by the Sri Lankan army, though in recent years Eelam Tamils have begun gathering the rubble of destroyed headstones and rebuilding them.

The incident sheds light on the challenges faced by local Tamils in preserving their cultural and historical sites in North-East. Questions have arisen regarding the Survey Department's adherence to legal procedures and ethical considerations in conducting surveys, particularly in the North-East.