DPI calls for govt intervention in SL Tamil issue

Chennai, July 9: The Dalit Panthers Of India (DPI) has appealed to the Union and Tamil Nadu governments to intervene in the Sri Lankan Tamil issue immediately to protect the rights of the Tamils in the island nation.

DPI Deputy General Secretary Selva Perunthagai, MLA, briefing newspersons on the resolutions adopted at the all-party humanitarian rally-cum-public meeting organised by the DPI in support of the Sri Lankan Tamils cause here last night, said the meeting also appealed to all the UPA constituents to exert pressure on the Union Government for its immediate intervention the Sri Lankan Tamil issue.

It also appealed to the Tamil Nadu Government to pass a resolution in the State Assembly in this regard.

Pointing out to the Union Government supplying two radars to the Sri Lankan Government, recently, he said it was totally against the Tamils' interest.

The meeting requested the Centre to give up military assistance to the Sri Lanka Government, immediately, he added.

The Union Government should sign the pact on the refugee welfare evolved by the United Nations in 1951 and 1967 and also allow the functioning of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) here and protect the rights and rehabilitation of the Sri Lankan Tamil refugees here.

The Tamil Nadu government should implement the recommendations of the DPI delegation which visited various Sri Lankan Tamil refugee camps in the state and submitted a detailed report on improving basic amenities in the camps and improving the living conditions.

Earlier, winding up the public meeting, DPI General Secretary Thol Thirumavalavan said since the ruling DMK has failed to convene an all-party meeting on the Sri Lankan Tamil issue, the DPI took the initiative and succeeded.

DMK President and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi was not concerned over the sufferings of Sri Lankan Tamils, he alleged.

He also ridiculed Mr Karunanidhi's reported remark that his stand on the issue was similar to the one taken by the UPA Government at the Centre.

Mr Thirumavalavan also asked if Mr Karunanidhi supported the supply of radars to Sri Lanka.

The DPI leader also camedown heavily on the Tamil film artistes for not raising their voices to the sufferings of the Tamils.

He said the DPI would continue its struggle in support of the Sri Lankan Tamils. The party would fight both inside and outside the State Assembly till separate Tamil Eelam was achieved.

World Tamils Protection Movement President P Nedumaran, All India Muvendhar Munnetra Munnani President Sethuraman and MDMK Deputy General Secretary Mallai Sathya were among those who participated.

UNI

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