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I did not ask IPKF to kill any LTTE leader: Dixit

Josy Joseph in New Delhi

J N Dixit, the former Indian high commissioner to Sri Lanka and former foreign secretary, has categorically denied that he ever issued orders to the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka to kill any LTTE leader.

Dixit sternly denied allegations by Major General Harkirat Singh that during his tenure in Colombo, he had asked the army commander to shoot LTTE leader Prabhakaran and his then deputy, Mahathiah.

In a statement to rediff.com, Dixit explained his position:

"There is no truth in Major General Harkirat Singh's claim that I ordered any drastic action against Prabhakaran or Mahathiah. In any case, a high commissioner cannot go around ordering the killing of people when he is in the middle of a diplomatic assignment.

"Secondly, at the point of time when Harkirat Singh was there I was engaged in negotiating with Mr Prabhakaran and Mr Mahathiah in September 1987. So the question of anyway harming them does not arise.

"It is to be remembered that Major General Harkirat Singh was removed from his command because he failed to save the lives of 17 LTTE cadres who were arrested by the Sri Lankan authorities in July-August 1987, and who were imprisoned at Palali airport.

"Harkirat Singh delayed their security, because of which those 17 young cadres committed suicide. It compounded in damaging relations with the LTTE in such a wrong manner, (and) because of it he was transferred within about two months of his being there and another officer took over.

"General Harkirat Singh's remarks reflect both his bitterness and his vindictiveness. There is no truth in what he has done. (It is) totally wrong.

"How can a civilian give operational orders to a military commander, number one. Number two, How can an ambassador order anybody to kill anybody? He was under the command of the southern command of the Indian army and army headquarters. What are you talking about?"

So why has he made this allegation?

Because he thinks it was I who caused his dismissal. This is a very serious accusation he has made. After all, when he was commander it was I who personally negotiated with Prabhakaran from September 17 to 23, as far as I remember. So how can I go and tell him 'go kill him'? Don't believe me, but how can I, a civilian officer, give an order without the Government of India's approval? He is a very irresponsible man.

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