Chennai students take to the streets over Lankan issue

Chennai, Feb 18 (ANI): Students in Tamil Nadu took to the streets on Wednesday demanding the safety of the Tamil civilians caught in a crossfire between the Sri Lankan army and Tamil rebels in the island nation.

Wielding banners and placards, students of Madras University demanded the Indian Government immediate intervention.

"We are not against State and Central Governments, we are just against the war that is happening in Sri Lanka. We request the Government to stop the war that is prevailing in Sri Lanka," said Anand Babu, a student.

Last month, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee met Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and discussed safety measures for Tamils trapped in the battle zone.

The visit was also aimed at cooling tensions with Tamil Nadu politicians who are demanding that India broker a ceasefire and save Tamils in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's military has encircled the rebel Tigers and is confident it will win a war that has claimed 70,000 lives since 1983. (ANI)