CPI to observe picketing programmes instead of hartal

Chennai, Nov 18 (UNI) Communist Party of India (CPI) State-unit secretary D Pandian today said picketing programmes would be held in Tamil Nadu on November 25, instead of Hartal, demanding ceasefire in Sri Lanka.

In a statement here, Mr Pandian said a day after the all-party meeting, convened by the CPI, decided to observe hartal on November 25 for the cause of Lakan Tamils, many political parties expressed reservations over observing hartal, in view of Superme court's ban on bandhs.

In deference to the views expressed by the leaders of various political parties, it was decided to change the mode of agitation, he said adding ''instead of hartal, there will be picketing programmes in front of the Central Government offices, throughout the State on November 25''.

Those who participate in the picketing should focus on demanding ceasefire in Sri Lanka and put an end to the killings of Lankan Tamils, he said.

The picketing would begin at 0900 hrs and those who participate in the agitation should not raise any other slogan other than demanding ceasefire and stopping the killing of Tamils, Mr Pandian said.

The agitators should conduct themselves in a responsible manner and should bear in mind that the agitation is to protect the suffering Lankan Tamils, he said and appealed to the people of the State to take part in the agitation in large numbers.

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