Tamil groups in Chennai and New Delhi came out on the streets on Friday to protest against Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to India.

DMK chief Karunanidhi led the protest in Chennai while MDMK leader Vaiko led the protest in New Delhi towards Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s residence opposing the Lankan President’s visit.

Rajapaksa is on a two-day personal visit to India during which he will offer prayers at Bodh Gaya and Tirupathi but will not engage with Indian leaders.

Rajapaksa would not be visiting New Delhi, officials asserted, dismissing notions that the Sri Lankan President might engage some of the Indian leaders with a view to seek New Delhi’s support on the US moved resolution against Sri Lanka at the next UN Human Rights Council sessions in March.

Rajapaksa has been accused by pro-Tamil groups in allegedly committing war crimes against the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka during the 26-year civil war that ended in 2009.

M Karunanidhi, who is leading the protests in black outfit, said the protest under the banner of the Tamil Eelam Supporters Organisation (TESO) is aimed at sending a clear message to the Sri Lankan President as well as to the Centre.

The DMK chief, whose party is a key UPA ally, said the “Central Government should realise at least now that the island government is not keeping its promises after the Sri Lankan President ruled out autonomy for Tamil areas.”

Meanwhile, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko is protesting at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi against the Sri Lankan President visit.

Vaiko had earlier issued an ultimatum that his party cadres would lay “siege” to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s residence in New Delhi if Sri Lanka”s President visits the country.

“I have already declared in Sanchi, that if the UPA Government dares to invite the killer of Tamils, Mahinda Rajapaksa, the M DMK will hold a siege at 7, Race Course Road, the residence of the Prime Minister,” Vaiko had said.

Despite the private nature of the visit the Indian authorities have extended full security cooperation for the Sri Lankan President’s visit, Prasad Kariyawasam, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in India said.

“The President would be given full protection by the Indian authorities”, Kariyawasam said. Some groups in Chennai have been opposing the Rajapaksa visit and had urged the Indian Government to cancel it.

- Agencies