India won't be party to violence on Lankan Tamils: PM to TN CM

Chennai, Jan 2 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has assured Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi that India would not be party to any activity that would have the effect of exacerbating the difficulties faced by the Sri Lankan Tamil community.

In response to Mr Karunanidhi's letter on the Tamils issue, Dr Singh said, ''it continues to be our position that the problems in Sri Lanka can only be solved through peaceful negotiations and we are urging all concerned to eschew violence which inevitably has a grave impact on innocent and defenceless civilians.'' The Prime Minister in his letter, excerpts of which were released to the media here, said ''your concerns on this subject have been noted by me. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate to you that the Government of India is deeply disturbed by the violence against civilians in Sri Lanka including women and children and about the particular situation and distress of Sri Lanka's Tamil citizens.

UNI