Don't help Sorry Lanka: RS members

U Anand Kumar

DELHI - Expressing concern over the 'miserable plight' of Tamils in Sri Lanka, members of the Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu on Wednesday demanded that the Centre stop all military assistance to Sri Lanka.

Raising the issue during the zero hour in the Upper House, AIADMK member Dr V Maitreyan alleged that innocent Tamil civilians of Sri Lanka "were being butchered by the Sri Lankan armed forces under the pretext of a civil war." Accusing the UPA government of supplying arms, providing radars and training to the Sri Lankan armed forces, Maitreyan said, “the DMK did not bother to force its own UPA Government to stop the genocide of innocent Tamils in Sri Lanka”. He said that DMK was resorting to a great resignation drama on the issue.

Stating that all military assistance to the Lankan government should be stopped, CPI leader D Raja urged the UPA government to show its political will and put an end to the war and strive for a political solution in the island nation.

Initiating the concern in the Rajya Sabha, DMK member Tiruchy Siva said the government discontinue military aid to Sri Lanka immediately. He feared that an attempt was being made to wipe out the Tamil community in the island. Pointing out that this was an SOS from Tamil Nadu, Siva said, "The Government should take steps to ensure rehabilitation measures of providing food, medicines and clothing to the displaced people."

CPM member T K Rangarajan wanted the government to pressure Sri Lanka to arrive at a political settlement on the issue.

BJP member Thirunavukkarasar urged the government to take up this issue with the United Nations and request it to send the Human Rights Commission to the areas occupied by the Tamils in the island.

Courtesy: Express Buzz