5th Column

Heroes run riot at cultural festival
"Thaaththa", Bindu Udagedera said, "I think we should stop worrying about the war now…"
"Why, Bindu," Bindu's father Percy asked, "what makes you say that so suddenly?"
"I think now there is a reason which was never there before…" Bindu said.

"Are you referring to the first ever proposals put forward by the Tigers?" Percy asked.
"No, thaaththa," Bindu said, "if at all, those proposals will make another war more likely…"
"Some people certainly think so…" Percy agreed, "but then, why are you saying we should stop worrying about the war now?"
"Why, thaaththa, it is because of those incidents in Colombo where that cultural festival was assaulted…"
"But I thought that was something we should all be ashamed of…" Percy argued.

"Of course, thaaththa," Bindu said, "but it also means we need not worry about ceasefire violations, the Tigers setting up new camps or even an outbreak of war itself…"
"How can you say that?" Percy was puzzled.

"Why, thaaththa just look at the manner in which our 'heroes' assaulted those people at the cultural festival…"
"But, Bindu, those were innocent people who were not prepared for such an attack…"
"Yes, thaaththa," Bindu said, "if such people can arouse such a strong response from our 'heroes', just imagine what their response to the Tigers would be…"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Why, thaaththa the next time we hear the Tigers have violated the ceasefire and done something nasty, I'm sure our 'heroes' will rush to the North and fight them till the Tigers are forced to retreat…"
"I am not so sure about that…" Percy observed.

"And when the Tigers set up their next unauthorized camp in the East, our 'heroes' are sure to charge into that camp and demolish everything so that we won't have to resort to complaining to the Monitors who don't do anything anyway…"
"I am doubtful about that too…" Percy said.

"No, thaaththa, I am sure even if war breaks out they will join the military in their thousands and defeat the Tigers so badly that the war will be over forever…"
"Don't you think that is rather a remote possibility?"
"No thaaththa, I am sure that with all these 'heroes' proclaiming war against the Tigers we don't even have to worry about peace talks and interim administrations anymore…"
"What makes you so sure of all this?" Percy queried.

"Why thaaththa, it is because our 'heroes' are so full of patriotism. Why else would they assault innocent people with clubs and bicycle chains for merely attending a cultural festival? Just imagine how angry these patriotic people would be if the Tigers try to do something more sinister?"
"Bindu, I think you are forgetting something important…" Percy cautioned.
"What is that, thaaththa?" Bindu queried.

"These so-called 'heroes', Bindu," Percy pointed out, "couldn't get a decent number elected to Parliament…" "Maybe that will change at the next election, thaaththa…" Bindu suggested.

"Even if it did, Bindu," Percy said, " remember, they also called for suicide bombers; I don't think they have found any yet…"
Bindu did not know what to say to that.

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