VOICING CONCERN: MDMK general secretary Vaiko leading a demonstration in Chennai on Friday, protesting against the attacks by the Sri Lankan armed forces on the island Tamils. — Photo: M. Vedhan

CHENNAI: Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko, who led a demonstration to protest against "genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka by the armed forces of the island," was arrested on Friday along with several party activists.

They had been denied permission for the demonstration before the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission. They were released in the evening.

Addressing party workers before courting arrest near Nageswara Rao Park in Luz, Mr. Vaiko said the demonstration was to express solidarity with the island Tamils. "We want to make it clear to the Sri Lankan Government that the Tamils are not orphans and we are prepared to undergo any amount of sufferings to ensure their well being."

He flayed the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Government "for not giving permission to take out a procession from Luz to T.T.K. Road where the MDMK wanted to stage a peaceful demonstration to condemn the killing of innocent Tamils including refugees and children."

He said the party had no intention of staging the protest near the Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission.

Mr. Vaiko accused the Sri Lankan Government of spending huge amounts on arms, leaving the Tamils to starve to death. Referring to recent reports on the death of refugees, in air raids launched by the armed forces of the island, he said such crimes would not take place even in Palestine.

He criticised the Centre for not condemning these incidents.

Referring to the humanitarian assistance announced by the Government of India to Sri Lanka, Mr. Vaiko said the Prime Minister owed an explanation to the country as to who would be the beneficiaries.

The proposed shipment of relief materials would help the island government to tell the world that there was no need for reopening the A-9 highway, besides distributing the essential commodities among thousands of army personnel camping in Jaffna.

He reiterated his demand to entrust the International Red Cross Society with the task of distributing the relief materials to Tamils.

Centre thanked

Dalit Panthers of India general secretary Thol. Thirumavalavan and Dravidar Kazhagam president K. Veeramani thanked the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister for the Centre's decision to despatch essential commodities to Sri Lanka.

Mr. Thirumavalavan said the humanitarian assistance should be distributed through the Red Cross.

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