Latest
DMK seeks referendum for political solution to Sri Lankan Tamils
Feb 16, 201404:51 PM
The 10th State conference of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Sunday urged the Indian government to move a resolution in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) seeking referendum among the Sri Lankan to facilitate a political solution preferred by them.
A resolution adopted in the meeting said India should insist on a referendum under the supervision of the United Nations and an international inquiry into the alleged war crimes in the last phase of war between the Sri Lankan Army and the LTTE.
The Centre should not fall prey to the Sri Lankan government and should stand by the U.S. when the resolution against the Sri Lankan government for its human rights violations is moved in the UNHRC, the party urged.
Another resolution made a strong case against foreign direct investment (FDI) in the retail sector, arguing that the move would deprive the livelihood of crores of people depending on retail sector for their survival.
The conference also demanded implementation of the Sethusamudram Project and abrogation of the agreement between India and Sri Lanka ceding Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka.
It condemned the Tamil Nadu government for filing a petition in the Supreme Court that Tamil fishermen had no rights over Katchatheevu.
Besides urging the Centre to commute the death sentence of the convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case — Santhan, Murugan and Perarivalan — another resolution sought legislation to dispense with capital punishment in the country.
“Capital punishment can only take away lives. It can never be an antidote to crimes. What is needed is change of mind,” it said, while pointing out that party leader M. Karunanidhi has been campaigning against capital punishment. – The Hindu
