Chidambaram criticises Lankan Govt, LTTE

Sivaganga (Tamil Nadu), April 23 (ANI): Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Thursday said that despite repeated requests from India to end the conflict in the island nation, both Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Sri Lankan government were not taking any action on the issue.

Talking to reporters after filing his nomination papers from the Sivaganga constituency in Tamil Nadu, Chidambaram said the Sri Lankan Tamils issue was a humanitarian one and there is an urgent need to protect their lives.

Concerned over the plight of civilians in the war-struck country, he said, "We have been making the demand continuously for many days. But both the LTTE and the Sri Lankan government are not paying heed to our request."

Chidambaram criticised the Sri Lankan Government for using the military as a solution to end the strife and said that the authorities are "more at fault" than the militants.

"The issue cannot be resolved by the Army. It has to be resolved through negotiations. The Tamils should be given equal respect, status and right. Tamil dominated one or two provinces should be made states with equal rights within the Sri Lankan federal set up," he said.

When asked about Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's demand to snap diplomatic ties with the Lankan Government if it does not end hostilities, he denied to give his views saying that it is a serious issue which cannot be discussed in a press meet.

Supporting today's 12-hour strike in Chennai called by the DMK chief, Chidambaram said, "It is not against the Union Government or the Congress. It is for stopping the hostilities there in that country." (ANI)