Sri Lankan Tamils will be protected: PM

Chennai, Oct 6: In reaction to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's call to save Sri Lankan Tamils, Dr Manmohan Singh spoke to the Chief Minister on Monday, Oct 6 morning and assured him of all steps to save the Tamils. Karunanidhi had called upon people to send lakhs of telegrams to Prime Minister to save Tamils. The Prime Minister called up Mr Karunanidhi at 1130 hrs on Monday, Oct 6 morning and discussed the issue, during which the Chief Minister urged Dr Singh to intervene immediately and stop the genocide of Lankan Tamils.

An official release said when Dr Singh telephoned him, the Chief Miinister explained in detail the plight of Tamils and the genocide by the Lankan armed forces. The Chief Minister suggested that the Prime Minister immediately summon the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Delhi and lodge India's protest against the genocide.

He said the Prime Minister should take all steps for return of peace in Sri Lanka and also ensure that fishermen from Tamil Nadu were not subjected to attacks by the island Navy anymore.

The Prime Minister, who shared his concern and grief, assured the Chief Minister that he would take all steps to address his grievances and demands, the release added.

The Chief Minister had on Sunday, Oct 5, called upon people of Tamil Nadu to send lakhs of Telegrams to the Prime Minister, requesting him to 'intervene immediately and stop the genocide'.

UNI