As MPs belonging to the DMK-led front in Tamil Nadu visits Sri Lanka on a fact-finding mission, AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa on Saturday flayed the tour over omission of opposition members and raised doubts on whether the team will get to see the “real” condition in Tamil refugee camps.
During its five-day tour, the 10-member delegation, comprising of MPs from DMK, Congress and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), will visit various camps and interact with the Tamils displaced by the war against LTTE. They will also meet top Sri Lankan leaders, including President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
“No member from any opposition party. No journalist. No Human rights activists. No independent observers. Not a word from the Prime Minister of India. Not even a murmur from the External Affairs Minister or Union Home Minister... What sort of an all-party delegation is this,” Ms. Jayalalithaa said.
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In a statement, she asked as to whom the delegation would submit its report after its visit.
“Who has chosen members of this delegation and authorised their travel? Will they get to see the real camps where the Tamils are interned in abominable conditions,” she asked.
Accusing DMK chief M. Karunanidhi of maintaining “ominous” silence during the last stages of the war between the Lankan army and LTTE, she said the Chief Minister was now attempting to portray himself as a “saviour of the Tamil race“.
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TNCC President K. V. Thangkabalu on Friday said the team on its return would submit a report to Mr. Karunanidhi, who in turn, would communicate to the Centre on measures to be taken for the well-being of Sri Lankan Tamils.