People in Tamil Nadu protest over Lankan conflict

Coimbatore, Feb 22 (ANI): Around three thousand volunteers, both men and women, of all ages took part in a rally held here in support of Tamils being killed in Sri Lanka.

They formed a human chain and marched through the streets of the city on Saturday voicing their protest against genocide by Sri Lankan authorities.

"This rally has been organised with the aim of uniting Tamil people from all over the world. Our intention is to protect Tamil language, Tamil tradition and Tamil culture and the Tamilians living in over 93 countries. If any Tamilian faces any problem in any part of the world, then the Tamil people in India will not remain quiet," said C Subramanian, organiser of the mass protest rally.

Meanwhile, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) workers formed a human chain in Coimbatore demanding an immediate cease fire in Sri Lanka.

"Over thousands of innocent Tamil people are attacked with cluster of bombs by the Sri Lankan Army. What we want is a cease-fire from both the sides. We want to ensure a peaceful life for the Tamil people," said N Palaniswamy, leader, DMK.

The LTTE is fighting to create a separate homeland for Sri Lankan Tamils, many of whom complain of marginalisation by successive governments led by the Sinhalese majority since the island nation's independence from Britain in 1948. (ANI)