Protests in Tamil Nadu over Rajpaksa's Delhi visit

Chennai, Oct 15: While Delhi decked up for the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony on Thursday, Oct 14, things were at the negative end of the spectrum in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, where protests broke out over the Centre's decision to invite Sri Lankan President, Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Demonstrations were held at Chennai, Coimbatore, Vellore, Sivakasi among other regions by the sympathisers of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) such as MDMK, Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam (PDK) and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, an ally of the ruling DMK.

“We strongly condemn the Centre for inviting inhuman Rajapaksa, who is responsible for the death of thousands of innocent Sri Lankan civilians," MDMK founder Vaiko, who led the protests at Coimbatore, told media personnel before being arrested.

As many as 100 protestors were taken into custody and later let off.

VCK and PDK members staged black-flag protests at several areas. Demonstrations were even held at the Sri Lankan high commission in Chennai.

The demonstrators shouted slogans slamming Mahinda Rajapaksa as well as the Union government.

OneIndia News