Meet on Lanka Tamils finally gets underway

Ending two days of suspense, the first international conference on the plight of Sri Lankan Tamils got underway here after the Madras High Court stayed the police orders and allowed the meet just hours before the scheduled start on Sunday, bringing respite to the organisers — the DMK-led Tamil Eelam Supporters Organisation.

Accusing the Lankan government of torturing and killing Tamils and blaming New Delhi of remaining silent, the conference urged the international community to intervene and stabilise the environment.

The resolutions adopted at the conference charged the Lankan government of "Sinhalisation" by trying to destroy the roots of Tamil culture and history, and usurping the land and properties of the Tamil population by the Lankan army.

The United Nations should put an end to the atrocities in Lanka and should take initiatives to punish those found guilty of war crimes and stop on-going human rights violations, urged the resolutions. The conference also urged India to take steps to ensure a change of environment in Lanka.

DMK chief M Karunanidhi said at the conclave that it was due to the misguidance by the Lankan government that he had to call off his fast-unto-death on April 27, 2009, when he was the Chief Minister. "Based on the assurance given by the Lankan government that the war was over, the External Affairs Ministry issued a statement which was sent to me at the fast venue. I believed it and ended the fast," said Karunanidhi, who was criticised for what critics said was a drama scripted to suit the interests of his family, party, and allies at the Centre.

Earlier in the day, though the conference was feared to be a non-starter till noon, the DMK managed to convince a specially constituted division bench of the Madras High Court to permit the function as scheduled. The court stayed the order of the city police denying permission.

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