Click to play videoNew Delhi: Amid growing concern over the safety of thousands of civilians trapped in Sri Lanka's northern war zone, President Mahinda Rajapaksa late on Thursday evening "urged" the Tamil Tigers to allow "the free movement of civilians to ensure their safety and security" within the next 48 hours.
According to the government information department, President Rajapaksa in a statement said that as a result of the ongoing military operations "the LTTE control over civilians is now confined to a small area in the northern province and a large number of civilians are being held there forcibly by the LTTE, thus endangering innocent civilian lives".
He has also assured all those living in the north, and in conflict areas in particular, that "vacating LTTE-held areas will ensure their physical security and enable peace, freedom and rights for all citizens of this country".
Claiming that his government has already "declared a safe zone for civilians" in the war-zone for the civilians to ensure their safety and security, the president has charged the LTTE with using this safe zone to fire long-range guns to attack the advancing troops.
"It is unfortunate that the LTTE is exploiting this declared safe zone for civilians by placing their heavy artillery within the safe zone and using it as a launching pad to attack security forces and indiscriminately kill civilians," a statement by the Sri Lankan government said.
The president's statement has come barely a few hours after the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it has escorted at least 226 sick and wounded patients requiring urgent medical treatment from the LTTE-held areas in Mullaithivu to the Vavuniya hospital in the government controlled area.
It said that the patients accompanied by family members travelled in three ambulances and four buses, crossing the forward lines of defence of both the government troops and the Tamil Tiger guerrillas.
"The convoy was escorted by the ICRC over a stretch of four kilometers between the LTTE and the government controlled areas," the ICRC Colombo office said Thursday. It stressed that it was essential that these convoys "continue to take place to help patients access vital medical treatment and humanitarian aid to be able to reach civilians in the Wanni".
"Today shows that it is possible to care for people protected under international humanitarian law. It means hope for the future of other people in need," Paul Castella, the head of delegation of the ICRC in Colombo, said in a statement Thursday.
India Welcomes Statement
India on its part has welcomed the Sri Lankan government's announcement.
"India welcomes this important announcement and hopes that with implementation of these steps, the condition of civilians caught in those conflict areas will improve," Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon told reporters.
Menon noted that safety of civilians trapped in northern areas was one of the issues discussed by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee with Rajapaksa during his visit to Colombo on Tuesday.
"We are happy to see the steps being taken by Sri Lanka and we hope that all civilians will be able to move to safety," the Foreign Secretary said.
Tamil Nadu Reacts
Meanwhile, with the LTTE in full retreat, the demand for an end to the Sri Lankan army offensive has taken a violent turn in Tamil Nadu. A Tamil activist set himself ablaze to protest the violence in Sri Lanka. Political parties have found a martyr in Muthukumaran who immolated himself outside Shastri Bhawan on Thursday.
Hours after this self-immolation, the Bank of Ceylon was attacked in Chennai.
Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi (VCK) leader, Thirumavalavan said, "This man has given his soul for the Tamil cause. If the center doesn't react then many more such Muthukamarans will be ready."
Union Minister of Health, Anbumani Ramadoss added, "This comes as a shock to the entire Tamil diaspora. I wish no more youngsters do such things."
The Sri Lankan Tamil issue has always evoked strong reactions from the different parties in Tamil Nadu, but so far it has mostly been loud posturing and little action from the DMK.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK leader, M Karunanidhi said, "If by giving up my government the Tamil issue will be solved, I'm ready for that also."
Poltical parties in the state are trying to outperform each other to emerge as the champions of the Tamil cause. With no signs of the violence in Lanka abating, its possible that Tamil Nadu could see more such violent demonstrations of support in the coming days.
(With inputs from CNN-IBN's Meenakshi Mahadevan and agencies)
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
More on IBNLive Right Now
TOP NEWS
MOST SHARED
PHOTOGALLERY
