General strike on March 12 to seek Centre’s support

Traders, workers, students and supporters of Tamil cause urged to take part

: The Tamil Eelam Supporters Organisation (TESO) called for a general strike in Tamil Nadu on March 12, demanding that India support the resolution to be moved by the U.S. against Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council for rights violations in the last phase of the war.

A meeting chaired by DMK president M. Karunanidhi adopted a resolution for the dawn-to-dusk (6 am to 6 pm) general strike and called upon the public, traders, workers, students, supporters of Tamil cause and government employees to support it.

Earlier on Monday, TESO organised a protest demonstration against Sri Lanka and its leaders including M.K. Stalin, K. Veeramani and Thol. Thirumavalavan along with scores of party cadres courted arrest. They were released in the evening.

Callum Macrae, director of the Channel 4 documentary on alleged war crimes, conveyed his support for the protest. Mr Macrae called DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin and Mr. Karunanidhi and expressed his solidarity, according to the DMK.

“He called from Switzerland and conveyed his support. He also wanted to express his regards for DMK president M. Karunanidhi,” said a press release from the party.

Mr Stalin also thanked Mr Macrae for exposing the excesses of the Sri Lankan Army in the last phase of the war.

Meanwhile, DMK president M. Karunanidhi expressed the hope that the resolution to be moved by the U.S. against Sri Lanka would certainly get through in the UNHRC. “We have hope. But we want India to extend its cooperation,” he said.

Mr Karunanidhi said the TESO was not just making empty noises, but actually doing constructive works by meeting ambassadors and high commissioners of various countries in Delhi and sought their support for the Sri Lankan Tamil cause.

“They have pledged support and it would work in favour of the Tamils when the resolution is moved in the UNHRC against Sri Lanka,” he said.

Condoles death of Mani

Mr Karunanidhi condoled the death of Mani, who committed self-immolation to express support for the Sri Lankan Tamils and asked others to desist from taking such extreme steps.

“Let the Indian government take into consideration the killing of Balachandran and the suicide of Mani and understand the feelings of Tamils,” he added.