Annai Poopathy's hunger strike and death were remembered by the Batticaloa Women's Organisation and the Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) today.
A garland was laid and a flame was lit at Poopathy Kanapathipillai's - fondly known as Annai Poopathy - resting place in Navalady, Batticaloa, to mark 36 years since Annai Poopathy's fast unto death.
On 19th March 1987, Annai began a hunger strike demanding an immediate ceasefire to the atrocities committed by the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) and peace talks between them and the the Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelam (LTTE).
Annai Poopathy was member of the Navatkerny Mother’s Front, who attempted to negotiate a ceasefire between the IPKF and the LTTE. After these negotiations collapsed, Annai Poopathy volunteered to go on a hunger strike on 19th March 1988. She died a month later on 19th April 1988.
The IPKF are accused of perpetrating several atrocities while occupying the North-East including massacres, enforced disappearances and sexual violence during their 'peacekeeping' campaign between 1987 and 1990.
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