How Govt could permit Navy personnel to inspect dam: Vaiko

Coimbatore, Nov 23 (UNI) MDMK General Secretary Vaiko today questioned how the Union Government could permit the Indian Navy personnel to inspect the Mullaperiyar dam.

Talking to newspersons here, he said the ''adamant'' attitutde of the Kerala government on the dam issue was ''highly condemnable.'' He also criticised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi for failing to take up the issue with the Centre while Kerala leaders met the Prime Minister twice earlier.

He said Mr Karunanidhi had not condemned the insult meted out to Minister Durai Murugan during his Kerala visit.

Asked about the installation of Murasoli Maran's statue in the Parliamenat premises, he said it was unfair. ''He did not deserve it,'' he added.

About price hike, Mr Vaiko said price of petrol and diesel should be brought down, on par with international oil price.

About the Sri Lankan issue, he claimed that MDMK was resposible for stopping an impending agreement between India and Sri Lanka.

He alleged that it was atrocious on the part of Sri Lankan army to attack innocent Tamils and the food materials suppled by India for suffering Lankan Tamils were being held back by ''Sinhala Chauvinists.'' The radars supplied earlier by India to Sri Lanka should be withdrawn, he urged.

He said to show solidarity with Sri Lankan Tamils, MDMK MPs would be observing a one day fast in New Delhi on Nov 27.

UNI KS VD DB2124