Annai Poopathy – 29th Annual Commemoration in Batticaloa today
The 29th Death Anniversary of Annai Poopathy was commemorated at her tomb at Kallady, in Batticaloa, today Wednesday, at 3.30 p.m.
When the Indian occupation forces were stationed in Sri Lanka under the name of Indian Peace Keeping Forces (IPKF – some called this Indian Peace killing Forces due to the atrocities committed by them in the motherland against the Tamil People during their occupation) they undertook full scale military operations against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and were engaged in large scale Human Rights violations.
Batti-Amparai Mothers’ Front decided to undertake non-violent struggles against this. Initially, negotiations were undertaken with the Indian faction which ended up in failure. It was decided to undertake a continuous struggle against the IPKF. First Annammah David went into a fasting protest. She was abducted after a few days. Following her, Annai Poopathy started a Fasting protest at the Mamangeswaram Pillaiyar Temple premises on 19th March 1988, drinking only water. She died on 19th April 1988.
When the Liberation Tigers were active her Commemorations were held high sentimentalism which were absent during the last 7 years. They have also Conferred a special title “Annai” (Mother) on her, honouring her ultimate sacrifice.After a lapse of 7 years, he memories will be rekindled today led by TNA’s Batticaloa District MP, S.Yogeswaran.
