UPA's explanation on explosives to SL surprising

Chennai, Dec 11: Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder leader Dr S Ramadoss today expressed surprise that the Centre was not aware of the movement of explosives to Colombo, through Tuticorin port in Tamil Nadu.

Talking to mediapersons here, he said when the consignment of explosives was cleared with the permission of Customs at the port, it was suprising that both External Affairs and Defence Ministries claim that they were unaware of it.

He was happy that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had ordered a probe into the episode after the consignment of explosives was seized at Melur near Maduari recently, he said.

Dr Ramadoss said his information was that the consignment was sent from a Nagpur based Economic Explosives Limited to the Velsara Ammunition Depot in Colombo, through Solar Explosives, via Tuticorin port.

Referring to Mr Karunanidhi's remark in the assembly that the DMK, being a ruling party, had to be restrained on the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, Dr Ramadoss said ''there is no connection between the Sri Lankan Tamils issue and the stability of the DMK government.'' The PMK had announced support to the DMK government for the full five year term, he pointed out.

UNI