Karunanidhi warns of TN MPs quitting over Lankan tangle

Chennai: An all-party meeting convened by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Tuesday asked the central government to immediately halt all military aid to Sri Lanka and ensure an immediate ceasefire in the civil war on the island, warning that all MPs from the state would resign in two weeks if this didn't happen.

"The centre should stop the 30-year-old civil war that has resulted in thousands of Tamils' death in Eelam. Since Indian military aid is resulting in genocide of Tamils, this meeting urges its immediate stoppage," an official statement quoted a resolution adopted at the meeting as saying.

"This (all party) meeting informs the centre that if India does not fulfill the demands, (the inaction) may result in the resignation of all MPs from Tamil Nadu," another resolution said.

The meet also urged the central government to end the killings of Indian fishermen, allegedly in firing by the Sri Lankan navy, and sought the government's good offices to ensure that essential supplies reach the needy in the island through reputed international agencies like the Red Cross, the statement added.

Significantly, this is the first time the Tamil Nadu government has used the term "Eelam" in an official statement.

During the last three weeks, parties across the political divide have condemned Sri Lanka and termed as genocide the alleged mass murder of Tamils in that country. Infact eight political parties in Tamil Nadu have rallied together on the issue of support for the Tamil population in Sri Lanka.

“The CM with the consent of all the parties will ask the centre to stop giving any help to the Srilankan to stop the genocide against the Tamils in SriLanka,” says Akila Indhiya Samthuva Makkal Katchi (AISMK) member, Sarath Kumar.

“We appeal to the central Govt to see that the interest of the Tamils in SriLanka are safeguarded,” added Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K.V. Thangjabalu.

Earlier Karunanidhi had threatened to withdraw support to the UPA if the Centre fails to stop the killing of Sri Lankan Tamils. His party, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhakam, has been spearheading the fight for the Tamil cause.

Tuesday's all party meeting was attended by 39 MPs from Tamil Nadu. However, Opposition leader and AIADMK chief Jayalalitha did not attend the meeting. Neither did the BJP and the DMDK.

Sri Lankan diplomatic sources, however, refrained from comment.