DMK holds stir; presses for backing US motion against Lanka

CHENNAI: Stepping up pressure on Congress-led UPA Government, its key southern ally DMK today demanded that India support the US-sponsored resolution at the UNHRC against Sri Lanka as over 4,000 people staged a protest against Colombo's alleged war crimes.

The resolution at UNHRC "will certainly succeed. Our strong demand is that India should also cooperate," DMK chief M Karunanidhi told reporters.

Karunanidhi's son and DMK Treasurer M K Stalin led the protest under the banner of party-backed TESO (Tamil Eelam Supporters' Organisation) and as the 4000-strong protesters set out on a march to picket the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission here there were arrested, police said.

Besides Stalin, other prominent leaders arrested included Dravidar Kazhagam chief K Veeramani and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) founder and Lok Sabha member Thol Thirumavalavan.

The protestors raised slogans such as asking the Centre not to betray Tamils and not to underestimate Tamils' sentiments as they insisted that India support the US initiative.

Karunanidhi, who has been vocal in recent months on the Sri Lankan Tamils issue and revived the TESO, said the protest was not just confined to the city but also held in different parts of the state.

The Centre should realise that these were not the efforts of one particular party but the "united voice" of people of Tamil Nadu, he said.