'LTTE chief may not surrender fearing extradition to India'

Elusive Tiger supremo V Prabhakaran, who has lost almost all the rebel territory and his key aides in the war with Sri Lankan troops, is unlikely to surrender as it may pave the way for his extradition to India to face charges in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, a media report said today.
"Surely he will not commit suicide" as he is a billionaire and would want to live longer, nor will he surrender "as it would open the way for India to seek his extradition for the killing of (former Prime Minister) Rajiv Gandhi," military sources were quoted as saying by a newspaper.

Ever since the fall of Kilinochchi, the political headquarters of the Tamil Tigers, in January, Sri Lankan navy has been put on alert to prevent any attempt by Prabhakaran or other senior LTTE leaders to flee the country.

A naval blockade has been imposed in northern Mullaittivu, perhaps the only remaining area where the LTTE has some presence. According to officials, the navy has thrown a security net around the coast off Mullaitivu.

"We have our fast attack craft, speed boats, radars and other equipment keeping round-the-clock watch," an official said, adding the navy personnel have been deputed in four rings along an area of 25 nautical miles off the coast.

Meanwhile, the paper quoted military officials as saying that a doctor treating the LTTE chief has stated that Prabhakaran looked in good health.

Earlier on Monday, Sri Lankan army chief Sarath Fonseka had told US ambassador Robert Blake that Prabhakaran, despite the loss of so many of his chieftains, might still be hiding, either inside the 20 sq km-long 'No Fire Zone' in Pudukudiyirippu or in an underground hideout.

It is widely believed that Prabhakaran's son Charles Anthony, injured in the clashes with security forces last month, could also be hiding in the No Fire Zone.

A considerable number of middle-rung Tiger leaders are now dead, leaving the outfit virtually paralysed, unable to sustain the military onslaught any longer, Fonseka told the top US diplomat.

LTTE commander-turned-parliamentarian Vinayagamoorty Muralidaran alias Karuna Amman believes Prabhakaran cannot escape to any other country as authorities abroad would not permit his stay.

Karuna, who split from the LTTE in 2004 following differences with Prabhakaran, recently said he felt that the LTTE supremo cannot evade arrest if he tries to escape to India.

Another senior Tamil leader, who has escaped several assassination attempts by the LTTE, said Prabhakaran has been almost cornered.

"Prabhakaran has already tried shifting from one bunker to another or from one hiding place to the next in Wanni. But he cannot escape from the country," said Douglas Devananda, the leader of the Eelam People's Democratic Front.