We can't interfere in Lanka's affairs: TN

(January 29, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) A friend in need is a friend indeed. The cliched proverb came true in the Assembly today as State Finance Minister and DMK leader K Anbazhagan batted for the alliance partner Congress over the Lankan issue, saying that a government could interfere only to a certain level alone in the affairs of another country.

Irked by this, members of the CPI staged a walkout from the Assembly. The MDMK legislators to followed the suit.

Replying to comments made by the members of the PMK and CPI after the question hour was over, Anbazhagan, who is also the leader of the House, said, 'External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee had visited Sri Lanka thanks to Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and came out with a detailed statement on his meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa. (the statement was read out).

The Minister has said that the Lankan President has assured him that attacks would not be made on civilians. We are politicians. We can express our thoughts on the issue. But those at the helm of affairs can not interfere in the affairs of another country beyond a point. Though we have enough interest over the issue, we can talk within the limits only'

Anbazhagan said that the Tamilnadu government believed that Mukherjee had rightly conveyed the message (attacks should not be made on Tamils) to the Lankan government.

'There are two sides to this issue as far as Tamilnadu is concerned. There are people who demand the arrest of LTTE chief Prabhakaran. At the same time, there are others who support the LTTE. But the general opinion is that, innocent Tamils in the island nation should be saved.'

Earlier, PMK legislator Velmurugan wanted to know whether the State government had any details about the visit of Mukherjee to the island nation.

Following this, CPI floor leader V Sivapunniyam hit out at the Central government over the issue for which Congress MLAs expressed their opposition.

Intervening, Public Works Department Minister Durai Murugan said blaming the Union government over the issue was unacceptable. 'Every member will have his or her own opinion,' he said.

Meanwhile, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader D Sudarsanam today said those disrespecting or desecrating statues of Congress leaders in Tamilnadu should be booked under the National Security Act (NSA).

He pointed out that AICC president Sonia Gandhi's portrait was damaged in Madurai and at some places statues of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Congress leaders were garlanded with chappals.

His remark drew protests from PMK MLAs and a wordy duel between the Congress and PMK MLAs disrupted the proceedings.

Continuing Sudarsanam, said, 'strict action should be initiated against those indulging in such acts. They should be booked under NSA. We will not tolerate such acts any more,' he said.

In his reply, Electricity Minister Arcot Veerasamy said, 'the State government has been taking appropriate action against those desecrating statues of leaders.'

Speaking after Question Hour in the Assembly, Sudarsanam said, 'We have no second thoughts on ensuring the safety and security of Tamils in Sri Lanka. But at the same time, extending support to the LTTE cannot be agreed.' - Sri Lanka Guardian