Union Minister from TN urges PM to act to save Tamils in Lanka

New Delhi, Oct 15 (UNI) As the anger and concern of the Tamil Community over the situation in Sri Lanka deepened, Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T R Baalu today met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and External Affairs Minister Pranab Kumar Mukherjee and urged them to take urgent steps for protecting the lives and livelihoods of the Tamils in the Island country.

His meeting comes close on the heels of the offer made by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Rajya Sabha Member and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi to quit her MP's seat over the issue.

Mr Baalu appealed to Dr Singh and Mr Mukherjee to intensify their efforts to persuade Sri Lanka to find a political solution to the ethnic problem.

He told them that the continued killing of innocent Tamils in the neighbouring Island was causing immense concern not only to the people of his state but to Tamils all over the world.

National Security Adviser M K Narayanana was also present during the meeting.

Mr Baalu's meeting with the Prime Minister was in persuance of the letter written to him by Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M Karunanidhi apprising him of the resolution passed at an all-party meeting yesterday.

The resolution required that MPs from Tamil Nadu would have to resign en masse if the Centre did not come forward to ensure ceasefire in Sri Lanka within two weeks and save the Tamils.

Mr Balu demanded that the Government should come forward to provide all possible relief to the affected people.

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