TN: PMK seeks Centre's help to save Eelam Tamils

Villuppuram (Tamil Nadu), June 7: Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder-leader Dr S Ramadoss today appealed to the Centre to save Eelam Tamils from imminent hunger death following escalation of violence in the decade-long Lankan ethnic strife. He was of the view that arms should not be supplied to the island nation at any cost.

''The situation in Sri Lanka is deteriorating day by day. The Eelam Tamils are being put to untold hardship as they face shortage of food and medicines. The United Nations has said Sri Lanka will soon face hunger deaths,'' he told newspersons at his Thailapuram residence.

Presenting a strong case for not supplying arms to the island nation, Dr Ramadoss disputed the Centre's contention that if India did not supply arms, Sri Lanka would procure it from Pakistan and China.

''They are already procuring arms from Pakistan and China. If India supplies arms, it will be used only to target innocent Tamils,'' he said.

The PMK leader also opposed joint patrolling of the international maritime boundary by the Coast Guards of the two countries to ensure safety to Indian fishermen.

UNI