DPI asks India to become signatory to UN refugee guidelines

Chennai, May 23 (UNI) Expressing concern over the heavy influx of refugees from Sri Lanka, the Dalit Panthers of India (DPI) today urged the Indian government to become signatory to UN guidelines on treating refugees with self respect.

Talking to press here, DPI General Secretary Thol Thirumavalavan said inflow of refugees had become heavy in the wake of ongoing battle between the LTTE and the Lankan military.

''Hundreds of refugees, who have fled to Tamil Nadu, are not treated with respect. To ensure this, the Indian government should sign the UN guidelines framed long ago. This will help free movement of refugees in the special camps and they will also be treated with dignity and respect'', he added.

He also urged the Tamil Nadu government to pass an unanimous resolution in the Assembly to condemn the attack on innocent Tamils in Sri Lanka. The resolution should also warn the island government to desist from carrying out attacks on Eelam Tamils, and urge the Indian government not to extend support to the Lankan government.

Mr Thirumavalavan sought the Centre's intervention to safeguard Tamils in the strife-torn nation and prevent 'imposition of war.' A meeting of the DPI Administrative committee held here appealed to the AIADMK Supremo J Jayalalithaa to reconsider her decision not to attend the Assembly.

It also urged the Centre to remain firm in its stand to implement 27 per cent reservation for OBCs in institutions of higher education.

The DPI wanted the DMK government in the State to pass an unanimous resolution in the Assembly favouring 27 per cent reservation for OBCs to ensure social justice.

The meeting passed a resolution condoling the death of senior DMK leader P T R Palanivelrajan last week.

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