Don't remain spectator at UN meet: Opposition parties

Holding the UPA government responsible for the plight of Tamils in Sri Lanka, Opposition parties demanded that India take a firm stand against that country at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, and called for economic sanctions as well. In the Rajya Sabha, the AIADMK’s V. Maitreyan and D. Raja of the CPI criticised the government for not even mentioning the issue in the President’s address to the joint session of Parliament, and hoped that it would not remain a spectator at the UNHRC meeting, allowing the U.S. and Sri Lanka to dictate the proceedings.

Both members expressed the hope that India would vote against Sri Lanka in the U.N. and that it would not dilute the resolution as it had done the last time round.

Mr. Maitreyan demanded an independent inquiry into the killings of Tamils, and imposition of economic sanctions on Sri Lanka until the community was treated with dignity and respect.

He attacked the Centre for increasing the assistance to Sri Lanka by Rs. 210 crore during 2013-14, ignoring the fact that this fund was being misused and not spent for rehabilitation and resettlement of Tamils. Mr. Maitreyan accused the DMK of shedding crocodile tears over the loss of lives in Sri Lanka even though it was part of the UPA when the “genocide” occurred. He demanded that the DMK and the Congress tender apology for their acts of commission and omission. The AIADMK leader also urged the Centre not to participate at the CHOGM summit to be held in Sri Lanka in November.

Mr. Raja said the promised devolution of powers to Tamils was yet to be carried out.

            The Congress said that India would not interfere in Sri Lanka’s domestic affairs but it unambiguously condemned human rights violations in that country.

Fisherman shot at by Sri Lankan Navy:-

A fisherman from Karaikal was injured when he was fired upon allegedly by the Sri Lankan Navy, about 11 nautical miles off the Kodiakarai coast. Shenbagam (40) of Kilinjamedu was shot in the back while steering one of two mechanised boats in which a group of fishermen ventured into the sea. A few others escaped, the fishermen said in a police complaint later.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa voiced serious concern over such incidents and demanded that the Union government take firm action. In a letter to the Prime Minister, she said the latest incident was an attempt to intimidate India and “browbeat” it into not raising its voice against Sri Lankan authorities in international forums. The incident should be viewed in the backdrop of protests by MPs from Tamil Nadu against atrocities perpetrated on Tamils in Sri Lanka.

Best possible decision on Sri Lanka in Geneva -India