TN CM asks people to take part in human chain on Lankan Tamils

Chennai, Oct 22 (UNI) Asserting that the human chain rally for Sri Lankan Tamils' cause would be held as scheduled on October 24 even if it rained, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today renewed his appeal to the people of the State to take part in the rally in large numbers and express their solidarity with ethnic Lankan Tamils.

In an epistle to partymen, Mr Karunanidhi, who presented a grim picture of the Tamils in the island nation and their sufferings,said even if it rained, people should brave the showers and take part in the rally scheduled to begin at 1500 hrs.

The rally, originally scheduled for October 21, was postponed to October 24 due to rainfall.

He said those who ridiculed and opposed the rally and tried to divert the attention of the people could not be true Tamils.

Taking this stand people should take part in the rally unmindful of the rainfall and take a vow to protect the Tamils in Lanka.

Mr Karunanidhi regretted the fact that the Tamils here were in a pathetic state unable to raise their voice when their brethern in Lanka were put to untold hardships.

'The Tamils in Lanka were leading a dreadful life, with women being raped in front of their husbands and brothers and willing to lay down their lives,' he said.

Heart rending scenes were being witnessed in the Tamil areas as children, who were not even aware as what was going around them, suddenly perish to bombs.

Unable to bear the agony, the mothers lay down their lives, he said.

This was the state of affairs in the Tamil areas in Lanka and all sections of the people, whether they were rich or poor, bore the brunt of the Lankan military offensive, the Chief Minister said.

When a child fell down in a borewell in India, the entire nation geared up to save the life and express solidarity with the family, but when the Tamils, who once ruled the island, were leading a miscerable life, ''we could not raise our voice for them. The Tamils (here) themselves are coming in the way,'' the DMK leader regretted.

These traitors obviously did not want return of peace in the island after a ceasefire, he said.

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