MDMK to observe fast on Cauvery issue Feb 18

Chennai, Feb 14 (UNI) The Marumalarchi DMK (MDMK) will observe a day's fast in the city on February 18 to urge the Union and Karnataka Governments to ensure protection of Tamils living in Karnataka.

In a statement here today, Party General Secretary Vaiko said he would lead the fast to highlight the 'disadvantages' of the final verdict of the Cauvery River Water Disputes Tribunal for the Tamil Nadu people and urge the Union and Tamil Nadu Governments to ensure the state's rights on the issue were protected.

Despite the verdict favouring Karnataka, there were several instances were Tamils were being attacked in Karnataka, he claimed.

When the tribunal gave its interim order in 1991, similar incidents took place in which several Tamils were killed besides causing damage to their property worth several crores of rupees, Mr Vaiko claimed.

He said similar situation was prevailing in Karnataka at present, wherein Tamils feared a repeat of the 1991 incidents.

It was high time the Central and the Karnataka Governments ensured adequate protection for the life and property of Tamils living in Karnataka, Mr Vaiko added.

UNI