DMK flays LTTE for not responding to 48-hour ceasefire

The Ruling DMK yesterday sharply criticised the LTTE for not responding to the 48-hour ceasefire declared by the Sri Lankan Government in the Vanni region to evacuate civilians caught in the fighting between the Army and the Tigers.

The LTTE had not given any word on the safe passage of Tamils in the conflict zone, Tamil Nadu Finance Minister and DMK General Secretary K Anbazhagan said in the State Assembly.

Replying to a mention by Congress whip S.Peter Alphones in this regard, he said even after last night’s (Thursday’s) announcement of the ceasefire by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, LTTE leader V Prabhakaran and his cadres did not come forward to reciprocate it.

UN agencies had also welcomed the new move by the Sri Lankan government, said Anbhazhagan, who faced questions from the members on the issue for the second day in the absence of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, who is indisposed. He wondered why the LTTE had not yet allowed the people a safe passage from the war zone.

Anbazhagan said the recent visit of External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee to Sri Lanka was the first step to save Tamils living there.

“This is the first step the Centre had taken to save Tamils in the island nation. We should try to take more such steps in bringing a sustained peace atmosphere for Tamils living there,” he said.

To a question by PMK leader G.K.Mani that the war in Sri Lanka should be stopped, Anbazhagan replied that the fighting was not taking place in a particular zone.

“Even the Sri Lankan Government is not willing to disclose to us that there is a war in their country. Even if we ask them in this regard, they will say they are only fighting with terrorist group LTTE to stop terrorism,” he added.