The Hindu : National : CPI(M) wants India to act

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CPI(M) wants India to act

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Thursday expressed serious concern over the continuing reports of casualties among the Tamil civilian population in Mullaithivu district of Sri Lanka and wanted India to seek the United Nations assistance to ensure their safety.

The party’s Polit Bureau was reacting to the latest report from the U.N. representative that confirmed the killing of 52 people and injuries to 80 in a day.

In a statement, the Polit Bureau said there were incidents of two hospitals being shelled or bombed. Two lakh civilians were trapped in the areas where fighting was on.

Provide safe passage

Both the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE should ensure the safe passage of civilians into areas where there were no hostilities or safe zones, it said.

‘Seek U.N. assistance’

The party also expressed disappointment that the Sri Lankan government was not making any progress in working out a political settlement of the Tamils problem despite assurances. It suggested that the Government of India seek the assistance of the U.N. to ensure the safety of Tamil civilians in the northern province.

‘Step up diplomatic efforts’

The Government of India should step up its diplomatic and political efforts to ensure that the Sri Lankan government immediately took up the provision of genuine autonomy for the Tamil-speaking areas within a united Sri Lanka as promised during the visit of the External Affairs Minister to Colombo, the statement said.

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