Arms supply reports to SL by Govt rocks TN House

Chennai, Apr 23: The reported supply of arms to Sri Lanka by the Indian Government rocked the Tamil Nadu Assembly today, with Chief Minister M Karunanidhi assuring the House that his government would impress upon the Centre to stall the move if the reports were found to be true.

The House also witnessed heated exchanges between with members of the Congress and the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), both allies of the ruling DMK, crossing swords over the issue.

Responding to the issue raised by PMK floor leader G K Mani during zero hour, Mr Karunanidhi said reports had appeared in the media that the Centre had supplied arms to the island nation, contrary to its decision not to do so.

''After ascertaining the veracity of media reports, let us stand united and strongly put forth our request to the Centre on the issue,'' Mr Karunanidhi said.

''We have every right and duty to impress upon the Centre to stop the move as the weapons supplied to the Sri Lankan army will be utilised to torture Tamils,'' he added.

Earlier, raising the issue, Mr Mani said there were reports that some of the neighbouring countries like Pakistan and China were supplying weapons to Sri Lanka. But, India had the responsibility to protect Tamils who were being ''mercilessly killed and tortured'' by the Lankan army, he added.

Stating that even United Nations General Secretary and the Pope had expressed concern over the prevailing situation in the island nation and had called for peace, Mr Mani said the House should adopt a unanimous resolution, urging the Centre not to supply weapons to the Sri Lankan Government.

After Mr Mani spoke, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader D Sudarsanam sought to express his opinion in the matter. When PMK members protested against his intervention, Congress MLAs also raised their voice, creating ripples in the House. This was the first time that the two allies openly clashed with each other in the Assembly, much to the embarrassment of the DMK.

Mr Sudarsanam said the PMK was a constituent of the UPA and it could have expressed its views at the meetings of Union Cabinet which was the right forum to discuss the matter.

He said Union Ministers belonging to the PMK also had opportunities to meet the Prime Minister and Congress President Sonia Gandhi and put forth their views.

It was funny that the PMK was seeking adoption of resolution in the Tamil Nadu Assembly instead of taking up the matter at the Centre, he added.

Stating that the Congress had never accepted the killing of Tamils in Sri Lanka, he said at the same time the party would not support terrorist organisations like the LTTE.

Mr Mani said his party had already impressed upon the Prime Minister and Ms Gandhi and had also written to the Centre on the matter.

Stating that the PMK strongly condemned the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, he said the Centre had the responsibility to protect Tamils not only in Sri Lanka but also across the globe.

CPI floor leader V Sivapunniyam said the Lankan issue was not an external matter, but a problem of Tamils. The Centre should intervene and try to find a solution to the issue, he added.

He said the Centre's present stand on the Sri Lankan problem was ''not right'' and would not be helpful in restoring peace and protecting Tamils in the island nation.

UNI