Veeramani, and leaders court arrest to condemn Indian aid to Sri Lanka
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Tamil leaders in Tamil Nadu, K. Veeramani, President, Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) and Thol. Thirumavalavan, President, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), courted arrest along with more than thousand 1cadres while attempting a rail blockade in Chennai on 23 September to protest against Indian aid to the Sri Lankan state. “The Indian Government should not assist the Sinhalese regime in any manner either through imparting military training, or deputing Indian defence personnel to help Sri Lanka unleash its genocidal war,” Veeramani said while he addressed a dedicated gathering of thousands of cadres of both the parties, and their supporters.
The leaders further demanded immediate Indian intervention to put an end to the bombings and air-raids that targeted Tamils. They also called upon the Indian Government to ensure that Tamil fishermen were not killed by the Sri Lankan Navy.
The DK President condemned the carpet bombings by Sri Lankan Air-force that killed innocent Eelam Tamil civilians every month. “The International Community observe World Peace Day and so on, yet it shows no response or sympathy when Tamil people are routinely massacred in Sri Lanka.”
He also observed that enemy tactics of divide-and-rule would not succeed in this case. “This rail blockade protest will send the signal that Tamil people are united for the cause of Eelam,” he said.
VCK President Thol. Thirumavalavan pointed out that it was time to act and called upon the people of Tamil Nadu to rally together to bring about change in the Indian Government’s outlook which could improve the deteriorating situation in the island of Sri Lanka. He reiterated his belief in the emergence of Eelam which will ensure the security of Tamil people.
Sri Lankan Member of Parliament Shivajilingam, Director Seeman, Poet Arivumathi, Bishop Ezra Sargunam and Tamil Nadu Muslim League President Sayyed Satthar also addressed the gathering.
The other leaders and public figures arrested included Paavalar Arivumathi (poet), V.M.Sethuraman (Pannaattu Thamil Vuravu Maiyyam), Seeman (Cine Director), Prof. Deivanayagam (Dravidian Spiritual Forum) and Anbu Thennarasan (Dhiravidar Iyakka Thamilar Paeravai).
