In a late night swoop, police removed eight students of Chennai's Loyola College, who were on a fast-unto-death on the Sri Lankan Tamils issue and admitted them to a hospital, police sources said.
The move came amidst growing support for them from various political parties, including the DMK and BJP, and three days after the students embarked on the fast pressing for various demands including an independent probe against Colombo for alleged war crimes. .
Scores of supporters, who were present at the venue were, also taken into custody and the premises of the fast sealed by police, drawing criticism from MDMK founder Vaiko and others. Viako said his party Deputy General Secretary Mallai Satya, and many others including some Tamil cinema directors were detained.
Mr Vaiko decried the police denying students their democratic right to hold a fast while CPI affiliated AIYF also criticised the police action.
Vaiko was one of the first leaders to meet the students and not only encourage them for their effort but also extended his support.
Earlier, DMK chief M Karunanidhi had exhorted the students to withdraw their fast, saying youth’s lives were important and asked them to resort to other forms of democratic means of protest.BJP too had extended its support to the students.
The ruling AIADMK and other parties had criticised Colombo on this issue amidst calls for India's support for a UN HUman Rights Commission resolution moved by the US, from key UPA ally DMK.
The DMK-backed TESO has given a strike call for on Tuesday to further exert pressure on the Centre to vote in favour of the resolution.
Keywords: Sri Lankan Tamils issue, Sri Lanka human rights violations, College students fast, U.N. Human Rights Council, U.S. resolution, Tamil Nadu politics
There is no issue staging a protest.It is a basic human right.The most important thing is the motive.It is crystal clear that the corrupted politicians using these innocent children as human shields.In the picture itself clear the crocodile tears of desperate politicians who are worried more about lanka than the TN people itself.Shame on them.
In my opinion young generation should not be allowed to slip into the hands of racists instead of guiding them in a professional and ethical manner.It is good to hear that the police is strong enough to take the challenge.
do u think that these act will put pressure on centre ,may be it might
happen if student across the tamilnadu get to get to these non violence
way ,,,,,,
It is not uncommon in India that political outfits encouraging
students to raise political issue to gain mileage. Remember the
students calling is to complete their graduation. It is hard earned
money of theirs , some parent are illiterate and they do menial jobs
to support their wards, what happen to their aspiration and these students gets into this unwanted debate or issues it is going to spoil their studies and their future is bleak. This issue of Srilankan issue
is national forum and there are several political outfits who take this issue to sort out and let the students not to take up their jobs otherwise these political out fit will not have any work to do, let each one of them worry about what they are doing , if all students thing about all the national issues , i dont think there will be colleges or schools to educate them.
@Kakati: Its not like they are not seeing what happens here. When Indians were attacked in Australia, we gave a heads up but why not for our brothers in Sri Lanka.
Really appreciate their efforts.
After a long,long, very long time, finally we are seeing students doing
something great for a valid cause. I appreciate these students for their
courage and commitment. Long live such student movement!
These people are more concerned for what's going on in SriLanka than the problems in India.
For the first time i am seeing students acting prudently and not destroying buses. Great going. Well done boys. Hope you can sustain pressure on higher scale. Please dont side with any party. it should be your fight against Lanka.
Please Email the Editor