Was Gopalaswamy culpable in the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi?

By Durga Velautham from New Delhi

(March 10, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) Vaiyapuri Gopalaswamy, according to a statement he made publicly at a book launching function Chennai today (Tuesday) March 10, 2009, it appears he has had a number of LTTE terrorists hiding in his home before and after the assassination of the former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi at Sriperumbudur in Tamilnadu May 21, 1991.

While there is irrefutable evidence that Gopalaswamy has been clandestinely visiting Velupillai Prabhakaran in Wanni during a period of time prior to the heinous crime committed by a female member of the LTTE, according to what he stated at the Chennai function, he has offered refuge for several months for these terrorists before and after the assassination.

He said that for a year and a half before the Gandhi assassination and six months after it he had thirty seven members of the LTTE enjoying refuge while the police were on the hunt for them following the horrendous Sripereumbudur tragedy in which fourteen others were killed. This assassination was one of the first in which suicide bombing was used and with it the LTTE helped to popularize suicide bombing as a means of terror globally.

Aiding suspects wanted in connection with a capital offence tantamount to committing a serious crime. In admitting that he had 37 LTTE terrorists in his home in hiding for a period two years before and after the crime was committed, fed them and even provided for their medical needs, then Vaiyapuri Gopalaswamy has admitted to be in full active service for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

If he has been a privy to this assassination and worse, he was consulted by Velupillai Prabhakaran, the first accused in this crime, Gopalaswamy is just as culpable of this murder. Speaking at today’s meeting, he also said that someone had betrayed the help he rendered the 37 LTTE terrorists but fortunately for him, his brother owned up on his behalf and went to jail for one year.

Why did Delhi and the Tamilnadu government fail to pursue the possible part Vaiyapuri Gopalaswamy could have played in the assassination of Rajiv Ganfhi? -Sri Lanka Guardian