Charging the Centre with ‘abetment of war crimes,' Vaiko, General Secretary, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) on Friday condemned Indian government's alleged partaking in the Sri Lankan war. The MDMK Chief was here to stage a demonstration against the attacks on Tamil fishermen in the sea, following the alleged killing of a fisherman from Vellapallam here a fortnight ago.
Drawing parallels with the treatment given to Gujarati fishermen by Pakistan, Mr.Vaiko said it was Sri Lanka that transgressed humanitarian decency by humiliating the Tamil fishermen. Over hundreds have been killed and several numbers maimed in the unabated attacks across the coasts of Tamil Nadu.
The protest originally scheduled for July 16 was postponed following the arrest of the MDMK General Secretary whilst protesting near the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission in Chennai on July 14.
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Alleging that Sri Lanka was turning into a potential military base for Pakistan and China, the MDMK chief stated that the “threat posed to Tamil Nadu” by the South Asian neighbour was imminent.
“The weaponry and training rendered to the Sri Lankan army by the Indian government with the tax-payer's money was used not just against the annihilation of Tamils in Sri Lanka, but also against the Tamil fishermen within international as well as territorial waters.” According to him, the advanced surveillance vessels bought in with Indian aid was used against the fishermen.
The demonstrators were carrying placards seeking UN action against the Rajapaksa government. The protest was preceded by a 30-minute sheer sloganeering. Over 1000 people including fishermen folk participated .
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