In 1972 and 1973 the police arrested many Tamil youths suspected of being militants . As a result , Sivakumaran 's militant activities slowed down . In January 1974 nine civilians were massacred by the police at the World Tamil Conference in Jaffna . Tamil militants blamed the government and Posts and Telecommunications Minister Chelliah Kumarasuriar for the massacre . Sivakumaran however blamed Duraiappah and ASP S. K. Chandrasekera for the massacre and sought vengeance . Fearing torture if he was arrested , Sivakumaran started carrying cyanide pills . On 4 June 1974 TSF militants including Sivakumaran attempted to rob the People 's Bank in Kopay . As the bank 's police guards gave chase , a cornered Sivakumaran swallowed a vial of cyanide , dying instantly . Sivakumaran became the first Tamil militant to die in such a manner and the first Tamil " martyr " . A large public funeral was held which was attended by senior Tamil politicians . Sivakumaran 's body was taken in procession from Jaffna hospital to Urumpirai
massacred
1974 Tamil conference incident
Pon Sivakumaran