Jaya seeks 'due' recognition for freedom fighters from south

Chennai, Aug 14 (UNI) AIADMK Supremo J Jayalalithaa today urged the Centre to give due importance to the freedom fighters from south India.

In a statement here, she said the centre appointed National Committee to commemorate the 150th year of the First War of Independence, 60th year of Independence and 100 years of Satyagraha, had not given due recognition to the heroes of the freedom struggle from the south.

'It is shocking,' the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said, and recalled the significant contributions of Pulithevan, Rani Velunachiyar, Sethupathys of Ramnad, Veerapandia Kattabomman and Marudu brothers to the freedom movement.

'A hundred years before the 1857 War of Independence, Tamil Nadu's great warrior King Pulithevan of Nerkattan Sevval raised a banner of revolt against the British and from 1754 he carried on the war for about 15 years,' she said and wanted projection of the role of the south in an ''impartial'' manner.

She also urged the Centre to set up a committee of experts well-versed in regional history to study the materials so that the role of the freedom fighters of the south could be brought out well in the commemorative function.

UNI