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Lanka seeks Gill's help in war against LTTE

Onkar Singh in New Delhi

Supercop KPS Gill, who has been invited by the Sri Lankan government for assisting in their operations against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, would be visiting the island-nation shortly to carry out an initial assessment of the security situation there.

Speaking to rediff.com, Gill would neither confirm nor deny that he has in principle accepted the Sri Lankan government's request to help them in fighting the war.

Asked if it would not be out of place for him to accept the offer, as the Government of India has decided not to send any military assistance, Gill said he was not a government servant and hence not bound by government decisions.

He confirmed that he would be making a preliminary visit to Sri Lanka later this week. "I have been invited in my personal capacity by the Sri Lankan government and I am going there right now. It is only after I go there will I decide over accepting or refusing the offer."

Gill also refused to go into details, and said he was not going to comment beyond what he has already said. He is expected to be in Colombo by May 21.

However, officials at the ministry of home affairs are upset with Gill's decision to go to Sri Lanka as it is bound to raise eyebrows, particularly in Tamil Nadu.

According to reports, Gill was approached with the offer by Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar a fortnight ago, when the latter visited New Delhi. The foreign minister had also met Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Home Minister L K Advani during that visit.

The Sri Lankan minister had apparently sought the government's permission to allow Gill to assist his country's fight against the LTTE.

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