DPI plea to Centre on protecting Lankan Tamils

Chennai, July 1 (UNI) The Dalit Panthers of India (DPI) today urged the Centre to take all steps for protecting Tamils In Sri Lanka.

DPI General Secretary Thol Thirumavalavan told newsmen here after launching a membership drive campaign that the LTTE also expected the same from the Union Government.

Referring to the reported admission of the LTTE that they eliminated former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Mr Thirumavalan said the tigers only called the incident 'unfortunate.'He blammed the Indian media for distorting remarks in this context.

The DPI leader also wanted India to refrain from providing any military assistance to the island nation's government. The statement comes in the wake of the international media reporting of such assistance to Sri Lanka.

He said the DPI will be holding a state-wide rally-cum-public meeting here on July eight to condemn the atrocities against the Tamils in Sri Lanka.

Mr Thirumavalavan also urged the Centre to intervene in the Lankan issue and to protect the Tamils in the country.

He wanted all political parties, irrespective of their identity, to participate in the proposed rally.

About 1000-odd DPI cadre, led by him, will go to Kandadevi in Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu to take part the controversial car festival on July nine. They will not be cowed down by police arrests as it involved protection of Dalit rights, he said.

The party's alliance with the AIADMK will continue in the ensuing local bodies elections also and the DPI would impress upon their ally to allot adequate seats to them. He also denied any problem in the alliance.

The DPI would emerge as an alternative to both the DMK and AIADMK by 2011 in the sense by that time it would have gained adequate strength. It was aslo decided to enrol at least one crore members to the party.

Referring to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's initial sanction of Rs 15 lakh towards undertaking repairs and renovation at Sri Lankan Tamil Refugees Camp at Mandapam in Ramanathapuram district, Mr Thirumavalavan said 'their first victory.' The party had prepared a detailed report on the present conditions of the Sri Lankan Tamil refugees camps in the state and it would be submitted to the Chief Minister in a couple of days, he added.

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