Literary personalities stage fast on Lankan issue

Chennai, Nov 27: Several renowed literary figures, including Ms Kanimozhi, the poet-daughter of DMK President and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, are observing a day's fast to condemn the killing of innocent Tamils in Sri Lanka.

Coming together under the banner of ''Tamil Movement,'' the fast organised before the 'Valluvar Kottam,' was inaugurated by eminent Lyricist and Poet Vairamuthu.

Dravidar Kazhagam President K Veeramani, former minister and poet Indira Kumari, Actress Sri Priya, DMK Leader Vijaya Thayanban and Dalit Panthers of India (DPI) MLA Ravikumar are also participating.

Speakers at the venue called for immediate re-opening of the A9 Highway connecting Colombo with Jaffna to ensure the movement of essential commodities and medicine to the suffering Tamils.

They also called for immediate halt to the killing of Tamils and arriving at a peaceful solution to the ethnic crisis.

The fast was organised a day after Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), a key constituent of the DMK-led DPA, DPI and Eelam Tamils Supporters Coordination Committee (ETSCC) launched agitations condemning the killings and to protest against the visit of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse to India.

While the PMK staged a demonstration, the DPI organised a day-long fast. The ETSCC led by Tamil National Movement Leader P Nedumaran organised black flag demonstrations across the State yesterday.

Six Mayors from Tamil Nadu, citing ''prior commitments,'' also skipped the Asian Mayors' Conference inaugurated by Mr Rajapakse at Dehra Dun yesterday.

UNI

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