Congress demand political process to resume in Sri Lanka

New Delhi, Oct 18 (UNI) The Congress today reiterated its demand to resume the political process in Sri Lanka to meet the legitimate aspirations of the minority Tamil community and said military means cannot substitute a political process.

''The humanitarian situation has been deteriorating among the civilians caught in the conflict areas and it is important to ensure that they have unhindered access to food and other relief supplies'', Congress leader and party's chief spokesman Veerappa Moily said in a statement.

India was very concerned about the situation in Northern Sri Lanka, particularly about the safety and security of the civilians and the internally displaced persons. The security of innocent civilians must be ensured at all costs. Enduring peace in the island nation requires a political resolution acceptable to all communities within an undivided Sri Lanka, Mr Moily said.

''There is an urgent need to address the genuine concerns of the Tamils and that nothing should be done to exacerbate the sense of insecurity amongst the Tamils,'' he said.

Mr Moily said, ''India has taken up very strongly the killing of our fishermen. The Sri Lankan Navy must desist from firing on Indian fishermen.'' UNI PMD AKJ BD1933