The Hindu : Front Page : Tamil Nadu Assembly condemns `massacre' of Tamils in Sri Lanka

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Aug 18, 2006

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Tamil Nadu Assembly condemns `massacre' of Tamils in Sri Lanka

Special Correspondent

House resolution expresses shock over the death of 61 students

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Thursday condemned the "massacre of innocent Sri Lankan Tamils" by the island's armed forces and passed a resolution condoling the death of schoolchildren in the aerial bombing of an orphanage in Mullaittivu district.

The Dalit Panthers of India (DPI), which staged a walkout in protest against the Centre "remaining a mute spectator," supported the Government-sponsored resolution.

The resolution moved by Speaker R. Avudaiappan said: "This House expresses its shock and deep sorrow over the death of 61 girl students and grievous injuries suffered by 150 others in the aerial bombing of the orphanage by the Sri Lankan armed forces in Mullaittivu district in Sri Lanka."

"This House strongly condemns the uncivilised, barbaric, inhuman and atrocious act of the Sri Lankan armed forces," it added.

Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to ask the Sri Lankan Government to find a solution by halting the war, it recalled.

Responding to the request made by Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader M. Kannappan to publicise the discussion between Chief Minister and National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan on August 9, Minister for Electricity Arcot N. Veerasamy said divulging the details would not be in the interest of the country or the Sri Lankan Tamils.

Deputy leader of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) O. Paneerselvam pleaded with the Speaker to adjourn other business of the House to discuss the developments in Sri Lanka.

Backing the AIADMK's demand, Mr. Kannappan said the ongoing military action was aimed at wiping out the Tamil race from the island. He pleaded with the Government to persuade the Centre to send a delegation of Members of Parliament (MPs), particularly from Tamil Nadu, to Sri Lanka to get firsthand information about the problem, besides receiving a team of Tamil MPs from the island.

Leader of the Pattali Makkal Katchi G.K.Mani commended the Government for bringing forward the resolution. Leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and leader of the Communist Party of India C. Govindasamy and V. Sivapunniam respectively, sought the Centre's intervention to restore peace on the island.

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