Human chain potrayed Lankan Tamils' sufferings: CM

Chennai, Oct 25: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam(DMK) President M Karunanidhi on Saturday, Oct 25 said the human chain rally organised for the sake of Sri Lankan Tamils on Friday, Oct 24 was a huge success and it demonstrated that the feelings for the suffering Tamils in the island, have not dimmed in the State. Answering a set of questions, Mr Karunanidhi said the participation of all sections of the society in the human chain agitation, amid a downpour, has proved that the Tamils in the State have not lost their feeligs and concern for the Lankan Tamils.

He said the human chain rally became a huge success and the special thanks should go to the heavy rains, as unmindful of the heavy downpour, all sections of the society, including political party leaders, advocates, students and film personalities came together to join hands to express their solidarity with the Tamils in Lanka, sinking their differences and party affiliations.

The rally, originally scheduled for October 21, was postponed to yesterday in view of rains, but at 1500 hours dot, when the rally was to commence, the skies opened up, he said. However, braving the heavy rains, people participated in the rally, he said and thanked leaders of all political parties and everyone, who had contributed for the success.

The opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam(AIADMK), its ally, the Marumalarchi DMK (MDMK), the nascent Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) led by its actor-politician and founder-leader Vijayakanth and Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) had boycotted the rally, while the Congress stayed away from the agitation.

On AIADMK Rajya Sabha members staging a walkout from the Upper House, protesting against the arrest of MDMK leaders Vaiko and M Kannappan on charges of sedition, Mr Karunanidhi said the arrest was made following the demand by their party General Secretary J Jayalalithaa. Stating that Ms Jayalalithaa was the first leader to demand the immediate arrest of LTTE supporters, he said it was amusing that the AIADMK Rajya Sabha members, had staged the walkout without supporting the demand made by their leader.

On MDMK leader Vaiko's complaint that the Government had deliberately given false information to the media about the facilities he was enjoying in the prison, Mr Karunanidhi said the prison officials would have only given the details of the facilities available for those detained in the first class.

The MDMK leader have levelled false charges to bring bad name to the Government and the prison officials, the Chief Minister said.

He said when the police wanted to bring Mr Kannappan to the city, who was also arrested on charges of sedition from Coimbatore, the authorities, on the advise of doctors, flew him down to the city, instead of bringing him by road, Mr Karunanidhi said.

Referring to reports that he was given a bed, television set and newspapers in the first class prison, Mr Vaiko had said last evening that he was not enjoying any such comforts, as he was lying down on the floor and no television set was given to him.

On Ms Jayalalithaa's demand that the Government should give Rs 2000 per tonne of sugarcane to the farmers, the Chief Minister said if the government gave Rs 2000, she would have demanded Rs 3000 and that was the duty of oppostion party.

The Government would concede the opposition demands if they were genuine, he said adding when the opposition demanded that the Government recall the order, levying additional 50 per cent tariff for extra power consumption, the Government withdrew the same, he added.

UNI