The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Ramadoss assails Centre on Sri Lankan Tamils issue

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Tamil Nadu

Ramadoss assails Centre on Sri Lankan Tamils issue

Special Correspondent

“A handful of officers” in New Delhi determining country’s policy

S. Ramadoss

CHENNAI: Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S. Ramadoss on Monday assailed the United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre for having humiliated the people of Tamil Nadu on the Sri Lankan Tamils issue.

Recalling a number of steps taken to draw the Centre’s attention to the issue, he told a press conference here that on two occasions, the Assembly adopted resolutions “unanimously.” A delegation of leaders of all parties led by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi called on the Prime Minister, urging the Centre to act. Members of Parliament from the State also presented a memorandum. A human chain was also organised. “Still, the Union government remains unshaken.”

He said “a handful of officers” in New Delhi were determining the country’s policy on Sri Lanka. Asked whether he was blaming the Congress, Dr. Ramadoss retorted: “Why do you point to one party? Is a single party rule there? It is a coalition government.”

Did the criticism of the Central government apply to the PMK too as the party’s nominees were part of the Central government? “Yes,” was his response.

On the future course of action, the PMK leader said that this would be decided at the general council of the party next month. “We will ascertain views of our members in a democratic manner.” The venue of the meeting would not be Thailapuram.

Asked whether he meant that External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee would not visit the island nation, Dr. Ramadoss said: “According to my information, only tourists will go to Sri Lanka in the next 10-15 days. Apart from them, no one else will go there.”

What should Mr. Karunanidhi do now? “We are eagerly watching his moves,” Dr. Ramadoss said. The PMK would be a party to any decision that was arrived at collectively.

As for the Sri Lankan army’s capture of Kilinochchi, he asked why the authorities had not given details of the seizure of weapons and surrender of members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. “What we all hear is that Kilinochchi looks like a ghost town.” Dr. Ramadoss asserted that Sri Lanka was not a “friend of India.” It would never be so, he added.

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