Withdraw proposal to send refugees back to Sri Lanka: MDMK

Erstwhile NDA ally MDMK today urged the Centre not to go ahead with the proposal for sending back Sri Lankan Tamil refugees to their country, claiming that the move is aimed at preventing action against the island nation government in the UN Human Rights Council.
"The measures taken to repatriate Sri Lankan Tamils is to prevent action against Sri Lankan government for the alleged human rights violation in United Nations. MDMK urges India to withdraw it proposal to send the refugees to their home towns in Sri Lanka," the Vaiko-led party said in a resolution at its general council meeting here.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam last week urged the Centre to defer the inter-ministerial meeting to discuss repatriation of Lankan Tamil refugees as conditions in Sri Lanka's northeast were not conducive for them to return.
The resolution alleged: "Reports of new Sri Lankan President's visit to India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit Sri Lanka in March are only to create a situation favourable to the Sri Lankan government in the Human Rights Council."
Another resolution wanted the Centre to drop the proposed Neutrino Observatory project in Theni District saying it would harm environment and pose a danger to the Mullaiperiyar Dam located nearby.

"By setting up the observatory there will neither be any industrial development nor job creation in Theni district, rather it would only force the people to evacuate their respective places," one of the resolutions passed, said.