'LTTE not sole protectors of Tamils'

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, MAY. 13. The influx of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees to India increases only when the LTTE gains control of the Tamil provinces in the island and hence, the Tigers should not be portrayed as the sole protectors of Tamils there, the TMC president Mr. G. K. Moopanar said today.

In a brief chat with the media, he said, extending support to the LTTE should not be equated with supporting Sri Lankan Tamils. ``If the LTTE is safeguarding the interests of Tamils there, why is there an increase in refugee flow to India (when the LTTE has captured the Elephant Pass)?'' he asked.

Welcoming India's `clear stance' ruling out any sort of recognition for Tamil Eelam, he said the Centre was going on the ``right path' on the Sri Lankan ethnic issue. Asked about the NDA partners, the PMK and the MDMK, supporting the Eelam cause despite the Centre opposing Eelam, the TMC leader said, the Union Government's stand on the issue was clear and only that mattered.

On the political scene in Tamil Nadu, he said, the consolidation of secular forces in the State was continuing and there was a ``spirit'' for greater coordination among them.

Asked if the AIADMK general secretary Jayalalitha's unequivocal rejection of the possibility of power sharing would affect the unity of the Opposition Front, Mr. Moopanar merely reiterated that the issue would be discussed at the time of the elections.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Regional
Previous : No differences between Centre, State: CM
Next     : DMK cautious in its stand on Tamil Eelam