TESO revives demand for enquiry into genocide in Sri Lanka

CHENNAI: Reviving its demands over the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, DMK-led Tamil Eelam Supporters' Organisation (TESO) today urged the Centre to propose an international enquiry into the alleged genocide in the island nation in the coming UNHRC meeting in Geneva.

One of the resolutions passed at the TESO meeting here urged the Centre to not only support the US resolution against Lanka, but also propose a separate resolution at the meet against Colombo for an independent enquiry into the alleged genocide in the island nation. It also referred to similar demands made by British Prime Minister David Cameron and Amnesty International's Lankan Northern Province Chief Minister Vigneswaran.

The meeting also insisted that the Centre take steps to put pressure on the Lankan government to give complete powers to the Northern Province and take steps to protect Indian fishermen, "who are repeatedly being attacked by Lankan armed forces."

Another resolution opposed the Centre's stand on the Kachchatheevu issue, that fishermen from Tamil Nadu do not have fishing rights in the islet, ceded to Sri Lanka by India in 1976.The Centre had spelt out its stand in its affidavit filed in the Supreme Court.The meeting, headed by DMK chief M Karunanidhi, was attended among others by Dravidar Katchi leader Veeramani, VCK leader Thirumavalavan, DMK leaders T R Baalu, Durai Murugan, M K Stalin and T K S Elangovan.