Centre must prevail on Lankan govt to stop killing of civilians

Chennai, Nov 9: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tamil Nadu today urged the Centre to impress upon the Sri Lankan government to stop the killing of innocent civilians, particularly children, in the ongoing ethnic crisis in the island nation.

Addressing a press conference here, BJP State President L Ganesan charged that the Lankan government, under the pretext of attacking LTTE camps, was targeting innocent civilians. Recently, 40 Tamil children died in an aerial attack on a school by the Lankan armed force, he added.

He said India should immediately intervene in the matter and impress upon the Lankan government to stop the killings. The Centre should seize the opportunity when Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakshe visits India later this month.

Expressing concern over reports of bomb threats at public places and manufacture of arms by extremist groups, he said the Centre should bring in a stringent legislation like POTA to deal with terrorism.

''Let them bring in POTA in any other name. But, priority should be accorded for national security,'' he said.

To a question, Mr Ganesan said the law and order situation in Tamil Nadu neither caused concern nor was satisfactory. Referring to yesterday's attempt by an intruder to gatecrash into the Poes Garden residence of AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa, he wondered how could such an incident occur in a high-security area.

Stating that it was a matter of grave concern, he said the intruder, who was said to be a mentally disturbed person, should not be let off.

On the possibility of formation of a third front in the state, Mr Ganesan said the BJP wanted to evolve as a national alternative to both the DMK and the AIADMK, and appealed for people's support to the party's initiative.

The BJP leader said he had already held talks in this regard with some political parties during his recent visit to Pasumpon to pay tribute to Muthuramalinga Thevar. Some of the Forward Bloc leaders had given positive response, he added.

Mr Ganesan said the State Executive of the party would meet in Erode for two days from November 11.

BJP National Secretary Bandaru Dattatteraya would take part in the Executive meeting, which would discuss various issues including the Lankan problem, quota for Dalits, recently-held local body elections, confusion in conducting Common Entrance Test for professional courses and terrorism, he said.

UNI