Disappointed over no strong assurance: DMK on SL Tamils issue

Key UPA ally DMK today expressed disappointment over there being no strong government assurance in Parliament on India's stand in the United Nations over the ethnic Tamils issue in Sri Lanka.
Without referring to External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid's statement in the Lok Sabha yesterday, DMK chief M Karunanidhi said there was no strong government assurance in Parliament "as anticipated by us," and it was "our duty to exert more pressure for that."
In a letter to partymen seeking support from all quarters cutting across party lines for the March 12 general strike called by DMK-backed Tamil Ealam Supporters' Organisation (TESO), he said the support for the strike assumes importance in the wake of no assurances from the Centre.

He said that the strike call was given to press India to support a Lanka-specific resolution moved by the US at UNHRC besides declaring Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse a "war criminal".
He called for support, including from Centre and state government, demanding that a holiday be declared for the 12 hour dawn-to-dusk strike.
"Private and government buses (should not run). Why, even the Centre should come forward to announce that trains and flights will not operate that day in Tamil Nadu," he said and urged business houses to down shutters while saying essential services should be exempted.