Tension over the presence of Sri Lankans in Tamil Nadu boiled over into violence as a convoy of buses carrying nearly 180 Sri Lankan pilgrims was stoned by miscreants near here on Tuesday.
The windshields and windowpanes of three buses were damaged as protesters hurled stones at Kattur.
The visitors, on a pilgrimage to Christian shrines, underwent anxious moments through their journey from Velankanni to the Tiruchi airport, as members of political parties and Tamil organisations staged protests en route.
Most pilgrims were Tamil-speaking Sri Lankans, a point that was lost on the protesters who targeted them. The police claimed that none was injured. They were escorted by a police team from Nagapattinam district, and the stone-throwing was rather unexpected, police sources said.
Eyewitnesses said the frightened occupants, including women and children, were screaming. The handful of miscreants fled the scene soon after damaging the windshields and windowpanes of the buses. “We are pursuing some clues and hope to make arrests,” Lalitha Lakshmi, Superintendent of Police, Tiruchi, said.
Later in the day, the Tiruchi district police secured eight MDMK workers in connection with the Kattur incident.
The visitors flew out of Tiruchi in a special plane on Tuesday night, many unhappy that they had to cut short their visit to famous shrines.
After being prevented by demonstrators from attending a religious event at the Poondi Matha Basilica in Thanjavur district on Monday night, they went to Velankanni Shrine on Tuesday morning. There, they were obstructed by members of the Naam Tamizhar Iyakkam and the MDMK. However, the pilgrims were protected by a strong posse of police. Nine protesters were secured.
Travelling through Tiruvarur, some MDMK workers flung pieces of footwear at the vehicles proceeding to Tiruchi. The police registered cases against them.
In Tiruchi, the police made some preventive arrests.
Earlier, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi workers staged a demonstration in Thanjavur, condemning Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju’s remark that the training of Sri Lankan defence personnel in India would continue.
Keywords: Sri Lankan pilgrims, Velankanni shrine, India-Sri Lanka relations, Sri Lankan Tamils issue, ethnic conflict, Tamil Eelam demand, Sri Lankan travel advisory
When have our political leaders not made an issue to get some mileage ? After all the mess that they creat the common man suffers . Those tourists trusted the Indian people so that they can come and visit the tourist places , we should treat them as our guests .
Our politicians just want to hog the limelight ! They try to emulate Gandhiji , wear white and white , who are these guys fooling anyway ?? I hope the constitution is amended to give max punishment to politicians and that there will be a restriction on the number of parties , with all the politician wanting to create his own party then how can we have a strong govt??
Already more than 600 Tamil Fishermen killed by Srilankans.
Is it Cricket Score?
If they continue this Sri Lanka will ultimately turn their back on
India. India is Sri Lanka's biggest business partner and most of it
happens with Tamil Nadu. If they boycott Indians enterprises,imported
goods and look towards South East Asia and China, it's Tamil Nadu
whose going to lose. Sri Lanka will hardly loose anything as they're
more of a buyer than seller with TN.
Think Twice. TN is not only going to lose it's also putting nation's reputation and it's perception at stake because of few idiotic opportunists.
Being a tamilian, I think shame on our so called leaders and their puppet followers. It seems, they did not think the repurcussions that is in the waiting for tamilians in Sri Lanks could become more harsh & serious than the one Sri Lankans faced in India. Are we really becoming shameless people now a days. Also the leaders don't know, if such things spread to other countries like Singapore, Malaysia, etc., we tamilians will be the ultimate suffers. So before acting, think 1000 times.
This incident need to be condemned ,
One should not behave like this , Yes you have the right to express and try to understand this is not the way
we should respect visitors , 'Athidi devo bava '
China was eagerly waiting for these kinds of incidents to happen , to make sri lanka against india
What ever may be the reason , think in nation's perspective
It is depressing to see political parties harming our relationship with our friendly neighbourhood country. Whatever the State or any party wants to do let them do it legally. If violent methods are adopted the repercussions will be widely affecting all Tamilians. Sri Lankan tamils need our support in all respects much more than we need them. It is no fun attacking Sri Lankan pilgrims or sending back teams here on a friendly visit. It pains to read an innocent official taken to task for allowing a Sri Lankan Team to play in Tamil Nadu. There is no serious problem between us and just imagine a situation if Tamil Nadu sportsmen are prevented to play in Sri Lanka for the Cricket World Cup. Let the state government take positive steps to improve the condition of Tamilians in Sri Lanka instead of making it worse by negative actions here.
These pilgrims came to India, not to fight, but to worship. At least
consider that and show your (our, Indians) virtue to them. Let the
flames of feud be put out forever!
Congratulations on a yet another new low to Tamil Nadu - keep sinking.
It is sad, they are Pilgrims, they are Tamil speaking Sri Lankans, They are mostly fishermen, But also innocent civilians, but merely citizen of Sri Lanka.
Why politicians only targeting poor.They never touch cash rich SL Cricketers, Sri Lanka Politicians affiliated with DMK or ADMK.
After all it is disgusting, Thanks to reader of Hindu, they are more critical than Sri Lankan media on this.
It is big shame that some are doing this kind of cheap publicity stunts. Cheap parties and their cheap activities. If this news is correct they are targeting our own Tamil speaking people which is unforgivable.
This only shows that Raj Thackerays are there in every part of the country and we are no more tolerant than our maniac leaders of the North.
Rather than play petty politics, it would benefit our image if we allow the pilgrimage to continue... After all, don't we boast, "vandharai vazha vaikkum tamilagam"???
''Many from India including from Tamilnadu go to srilanka on special trips.The Indian government should give policy decisions on these trips beforehand..Also many tamil scholars from srilanka are coming to chennai during various Tamil meets we hope they would not be prevented by either of the governments from attending. The state government should discuss with central government and decide on these issues.If we stop foot ball we should stop cricket also.
Shame on TN and its people
I am a tamilian and hang down my head in shame.
All the persons/parties involved should be severely dealt with.
TN has to live with this shame for a long time to come
I feel miserable
this is a worst thing doing like this . and this made the srilankan
people hate on us and definitely we are loosing their relation by doing
in this way on this central govt should respond
I really worry for the plight of Tamilians in Srilanka. If Sinhalese
populations takes such action on Tamil People living in Colombo, will
this people go and protect them? Its better to solve this issue
politically through various pressure corners like economic sanctions,
UN pressure etc.
Please, People of Tamilnadu, don't get into this political Gimmick
from both the dravidian parties and spoil the people to people
relationship with the sinhalese people.
Remember don't go to the roots again.
This incident is very much shameful . These actions for whatever reasons
cannot be tolerated. The general public should not support these groups
who are acting like they are protecting Tamil communities interests. If
the government cannot protect tourists from other nations , it's
shameful.
Is this the same country where the Buddha was borne?
It is sad to see that hooliganism passes off as politics after six
decades of independence. As a nation, we should be ashamed about this
behaviour. It is hard to see democracy flourishing without a healthy
respect for rule of law among the masses, and political parties.
Violence, and threat of violence are not valid means of protest in a
democratic system. The point is: do not stoke up passions of the
uneducated masses, if you cannot control it. If your movement turns
violent, be prepared to be held responsible with associated legal
sanctions or penalties, and not be allowed to participate in public
activity (elected or not) again.
This is shame, protecting the rights of Srilankan tamils no way means hurting the Srilankan people visiting India. This is immature act, feels like vote bank politics.
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