Hartal in TN 4 Feb

(January 31, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) The newly-formed Sri Lankan Tamils Protection Movement comprising various political parties today announced a Statewide hartal on 4 February and take out black flag processions on 7 February demanding a ceasefire in Lanka.

Addressing a meeting in Chennai today, convenor of the movement Pazha Nedumaran sought the support of everyone to put an end to the atrocities against Tamils in the island nation.

‘After fighting for the cause for many years, we have now come together under a single movement. This has given hope to Tamils living all over the world and has made Lanka President Rajpaksa jittery,’ he said.

Others who took part in the meeting include MDMK general secretary Vaiko, CPI senior leader R Nallakannu, State secretary D Pandian, PMK founder S Ramadoss, BJP national secretary S Thir-unavukkarasar, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol Thirumavalavan and Nationalist Congress leader Tindivanam Rama-murthy.

Five parties, belonging to different alliances, launched the Sri Lankan Tamils Protection Movement a couple of days ago.

The movement, which would have Tamil National Movement chief P Nedumaran as the convenor, would include the MDMK and CPI (allies of the AIADMK), the PMK (alliance partner of the Congress) and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (ally of the DMK).

Speaking to reporters, the leaders said the sole aim of the movement was to ensure protection of Sri Lankan Tamils from the genocide.

Ramadoss, Vaiko, Pandian and Thirumavalavan later held discussions amidst concern over civilian casualties in Sri Lanka. The leaders, known to have strong LTTE leanings, discussed the visit of External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee to the neighbouring nation.
-Sri Lanka Guardian