People are running out of patience with Govt as land protests spread across the North and East: MP Shanakiyan

 

Protesters and villagers at Palaly junction and Vasavilan in Jaffna have been on a continuous protest over ten weeks demanding return of their ancestral lands. 

Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchchi (ITAK) MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam said ofople are running out of patience with the government as land protests spread across the North and East.

MP Rasamanickam, who is also Parliamentary Group Leader of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), visited the ongoing land-release protests at Palaly Junction and Vasavilan, where residents continue to demand the release of their ancestral and privately owned lands currently under the control of the security forces.

The protest at Palaly Junction has now continued for 10 consecutive weeks, with residents gathering every Sunday to demand the return of their lands.

During his visit, Shanakiyan Rasamanickam expressed his solidarity with the protesting residents and reaffirmed ITAK’s political support for their struggle.

“People are running out of patience with the Government. These protests are no longer isolated incidents. Demonstrations demanding the release of civilian lands are now taking place across the North and East. The Government must understand that people cannot be expected to wait indefinitely for the return of their own lands.”

He said the Government cannot continue to rely on broad references to “national security” to justify the continued occupation of civilian lands nearly 17 years after the end of the war.

“If the Government accepts that areas designated as High Security Zones during the war do not necessarily need to remain under that designation today, then the same principle must apply to the civilian lands that remain occupied. National security cannot become a permanent justification for denying people access to their own property.”

He also highlighted the continued lack of access to important civilian and religious institutions in the area, including St. Sebastian’s Church, Myliddy Roman Catholic School and Vasavilan Sri Velupillai Vidyalayam.

“When you come here and speak directly to the people, you understand that this is not simply about acres of land on a Government document. These are people’s homes, schools, places of worship and communities. Their lives have been disrupted for decades.”

Shanakiyan Rasamanickam called on the Government to establish a clear and time-bound programme for the release of all remaining civilian lands.

“Selective releases are not enough. The Government must identify all remaining civilian lands under military occupation, explain why each parcel is still being retained, and provide a definite timeline for returning them to their rightful owners.”

He said he would continue to raise the issue in Parliament and provide political support to the affected communities.

“I will continue to stand with these communities and raise their concerns in Parliament. The Government must recognise the growing frustration across the North and East and act before these protests become even more widespread.”

He urged the Government to act without further delay and end the prolonged occupation of civilian lands in the North and East.