Chennai: An all-party meeting convened by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Tuesday asked the Central government to immediately halt all military aid to Sri Lanka and ensure an immediate ceasefire in the civil war on the island, warning that all MPs from the state would resign in two weeks if this didn't happen.
"The Centre should stop the 30-year-old civil war that has resulted in thousands of Tamils' death in Eelam. Since Indian military aid is resulting in genocide of Tamils, this meeting urges its immediate stoppage," an official statement quoted a resolution adopted at the meeting as saying.
"This (all party) meeting informs the Centre that if India does not fulfil the demands, (the inaction) may result in the resignation of all MPs from Tamil Nadu," another resolution said.
The meet also urged the Central government to end the killings of Indian fishermen, allegedly in firing by the Sri Lankan navy, and sought the government's good offices to ensure that essential supplies reach the needy in the island through reputed international agencies like the Red Cross, the statement added.
Significantly, this is the first time the Tamil Nadu government has used the term "Eelam" in an official statement.
During the last three weeks, parties across the political divide have condemned Sri Lanka and termed as genocide the alleged mass murder of Tamils in that country.
Sri Lankan diplomatic sources, however, refrained from comment.
Comments
0 comment