DMK to boycott CPI meet on Lanka issue

(November 16, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) Chief Minister Minister M Karunanidhi on Sunday said the DMK would boycott the all -party meeting convened by the CPI on Monday to discuss the Lankan issue.

On the violence at Tamilnadu Ambedkar Law College, the DMK chief sarcasticallly wondered that it iooked like it might have been instigated by AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa and MDMK chief Vaiko to ensure that he quit his Chief Ministerial post.

Addressing media persons at Coimbatore today, Karunanidhi said, 'I have discussed in detail about the steps to be taken to protect Tamils in Sri Lanka with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and AICC president Sonia Gandhi.'

Stating that resolutions were passed at the party's executive council meeting and all-party meet convened recently to discuss the issue, Karunanidhi said, 'Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse cannot be trusted. Under the pretext of finishing off the LTTE, the Lankan military is bombing Tamil establishments. It is an attempt to end both Tamils and the LTTE.'

He said that the DMK would abstain from the all-party meeting convened by the CPI on Monday. He however said there was nothing wrong in every party showing keen interest over the Lankan issue.

Queried over the law college violence, the veteran leader said, 'it is an unhealthy sign to see caste clashes in educational institutions. The DMK has been raising its voice against them'.

On the security provided to Jayalalithaa, he said, 'for those enjoying 'Z' security cover, only 54 police personnel can be employed. But for Jayalalithaa's security, we have posted 174 cops and a bullet-proof car.

Denying that Jayalalithaa was attacked when she visited Pasumpon recently, Karunanidhi said, 'only her supporters kicked up a ruckus by pelting stones'. - Sri Lanka Guardian