TN Govt would agree Centre's stand in Lanka: MK

Chennai, Jun 9 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today said his Government would not differ from the stand taken by the Centre on the ongoing ethnic crisis in Sri Lanka.

Asked about the BJP's criticism that both the Centre and the State Government were ''silent'' on the boiling issue, he said ''let them first come out with their stand and approach towards the issue.

As far as Tamil Nadu Government is concerned, we will go by the Centre's stand.'' He declined to comment on Tamil Nationalist Movement leader P Nedumaran's demand to send a fact-finding committee to the island nation to study the situation.

Expressing regret over the failure of talks between the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE in Norway, Mr Karunanidhi said it would be welcome, if both the parties continued their negotiations to find a solution to the crisis.

He said steps would be taken to improve the living conditions of Sri Lankan refugees in the refugee camps at Mandapam near Rameswaram.

Several concessions, including Medical seats to students, were given to them during the earlier DMK regime but all were subsequently withdrawn by the AIADMK Government, he added.

Stating that Lankan students had written to him in this regard, the Chief Minister said all steps would be taken to restore the rights and benefits of the refugees.

On the forthcoming civic elections in Pondicherry, Mr Karuananidhi said seat-sharing with allies had been finalised without any hitch.

Asked about the status of Cable TV Bill, passed in State Assembly during the previous AIADMK Government to takeover the administration of MSOs (multi service operators) in the State, he said it was pending before the Governor for his assent.

''I leave it to mediapersons to judge whether the issue (Cable TV) is a State or Central subject,'' he added.

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