Hakeem says Tamils and Muslims may engage in renewed violence

Both parties have taken decisions regarding the Muslims affected after the tsunami without consulting the Muslim leadership, SLMC leader Rauf Hakeem said.

Speaking to journalists after meeting Norwegian peace envoy Erik Solheim, the former minister Hakeem said there was a serious danger of Tamils and Muslims engage in renewed violence due to the 100m buffer zone implemented by the government.

The Muslim community is also gradually being sidelined in the peace process, he said.

LTTE-SLMC agreement

SLMC leader accused the LTTE of trying to influence the Muslim community in the east against the Muslim leadership.

He was suspicious of the motives behind LTTE political leader Tamilselvan’s recent visit to the east.

I requested Mr. Solheim to query LTTE whether the agreement signed by me and LTTE leader Velupillai Pirapaharan is still valid Rauf Hakeem

“ I requested Mr. Solheim to query LTTE whether the agreement signed by me and LTTE leader Velupillai Pirapaharan is still valid,” Hakeem said.

If the government and the LTTE agree on a common mechanism to rebuild the tsunami affected areas, the Muslim community also cannot be ignored, Norwegian peace envoy Erik Solheim said.