Indian HC to oversee distribution of relief

The Indian High Commission in Colombo will oversee distribution of relief materials to the affected civilians in the North through the Red Cross and the United Nations, the Indian External Affairs Ministry (MEA) said.

Responding to a letter from the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, the MEA spokesperson in a clarification to the State Chief Secretary said: "I write regarding the letter from Chief Minister, Tamil Nadu, to External Affairs Minister about the distribution of relief materials intended for civilians affected by the conflict in northern Sri Lanka.

The factual situation is these materials will be shipped to the High Commission in Colombo, which will arrange for their distribution in the affected areas through the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations."

Earlier, following criticism by the PMK organ, 'Tamil Osai,' and the apprehensions of AIADMK General Secretary Jayalalithaa that the relief materials to be handed over to Sri Lanka would land in the hands of the LTTE, the Chief Minister had faxed letters to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the External Affairs Minister seeking a clarification on the modalities of distributing the aid purchased with the money collected in Tamil Nadu.

The Hindu