Captain Appan, the man with the a vision of becoming a Black Tiger (Karrum Puli)
Captain Appan, the man with the a vision of becoming a Black Tiger (Karrum Puli)
He played a pivotal role in the political wing of the LTTE movement in Kaithadi/Navakuzhi area. On that day, we were engaged in preparatory work for the attack on Silavatura. Captain Appan also stood with us. It was decided that the Captain would be the one to carry out the Black Tiger attack there.
He said, “Do you know why I display images of fallen Black Tigers at the Kaithadi Junction?” He said today, I also aspire to die as a Black Tiger for my country one day. He drove himself from the place where the ammunition cart was prepared to the frontline of battle. At that time the Captain was full of joy that he was about to fulfill his desire but when the plan was changed at the eleventh hour and the chance was given to Dambo, Captain Appan was devastated. We did not see the cheerfulness in him after that moment. Along with the assault squad – he went into the fray with a gun.
To this day, his people are still looking for him. They searched for him among the Tigers from the Silavathurai battle field. They searched for him among the bodies of fallen comrades, these were recovered from the battle field, but they never found him. It was evident, Captain Appan will not return.
Captain Appan came into the freedom struggle from a family struggling with poverty. He allied himself with the LTTE four years ago – when we had pinned down the Sinhalese forces at Navakuzhi camp.
He has encountered the Sinhalese and Indian forces on many fronts. Now I remember those days when the Indian troops cowered at the site of him. It was then that I was appointed in charge of Thenmarachi (In the Jaffna Peninsula).
None of the comrades who were sent to the battlefront from the Kaithadi-Navakuzhi area came back. Captain Appan went next. It almost amounts to suicide.
During the time of which the Indian Occupational Forces were active in the Tamil Eelam, I recall a certain memory of a certain location. There are two roads leading to the area that correspond to an island. But they were full of Indian army camps. He had to swim there. There were days when he encountered Indian Army guns while coming ashore. He used to swim in these same waters as a child but for more playful reasons.
Now when I go there – I get a feeling that the very streets that were full of his memory and presence have become empty. The happiness in the eyes of the people is gone.
Now – the people are building a memorial for Captain Appan in his home town.
Many members of the LTTE came forward and volunteered to give their life as a Black Tiger but not everyone gets the chance to fulfil that dream. Captain Appan is one such warrior.
Dinesh
Liberation Tigers Magazine 22
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