Thaindian News

Chennai, Nov 12 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu assembly Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution urging India to press for talks between the Tamil Tigers and Colombo and also an immediate ceasefire in the island nation.”It has been unanimously resolved that the Indian government should use its good offices to get the Sri Lankan regime to agree to an immediate ceasefire to alleviate the sufferings of Tamils (in the island’s north) since the other (LTTE) side has offered to do so,” a statement issued here said.

“This house demands the immediate halt of military operations and start (of) political, peaceful negotiations to find a solution to the Tamil question,” it said.

The resolution was moved by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.

The statement added that “over 70 million agitated and angry Indian Tamils are united (with their brethren in Sri Lanka) and affected by the sad state of affairs.

“The Indian government must make efforts to assure the Tamils in Sri Lanka of the security of their life, property… and an equal (right to) exist (along with the majority Sinhalese),” it said.

“The endeavours of the centre and the state to send relief materials to the suffering Tamils through the auspices of international organisations like the Red Cross and the UN will not alleviate the travails adequately,” it added.

The resolution came as Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa was in New Delhi for an official visit.

Meanwhile 120 members of the Tamil National Movement including its leader P. Nedumaran courted arrest demanding an immediate ceasefire in Sri Lanka and stoppage of Indian weapons’ supply to the island nation.

A former president of the Tamil Nadu Congress, Nedumaran has been a strong supporter of the Eelam movement.

Parts of several towns and villages in the state hoisted black flags to protest against the visit of President Rajapaksa.