Nedumaran not conceding Karunanidhi's plea

Chennai, Sep 15: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today expressed regret at Tamil Nationalist Movement (TNM) leader P Nedumaran turning down his fervent appeal to give up his fast, demanding permission to send relief materials to suffering Tamils in neighbouring Sri Lanka.

In a statement here, he recalled that he had penned a letter to the Nedumaran from the train enroute to Salem, urging him to give up his fast considering his health condition and assuring to meet him after his return to the city to discuss the issue.

Mr Karunanidhi said that despite the letter and appeals from leaders of various parties, it was saddening to note that Mr Nedumaran remained steadfast in continuing with the fast.

The remarks of Mr Nedumaran, who was earlier detained under the now defunct POTA for his support to the banned LTTE, that there was a need to continue with the fast was also painful, he added.

Mr Nedumaran, a staunch supporter of Eelam Tamils, began his fast at Nagapattinam on September 12 after police foiled his bid to set sail to Lanka in a boat with medicines and food to the suffering Tamils by arresting him along with 150 of his supporters. After his release the same day, Mr Nedumaran arrived here and continued his fast at a private place in Koyambedu.

UNI