MDMK chief Vaiko protests Sri Lankan President's visit, courts arrest in Delhi

New Delhi: MDMK chief Vaiko courted arrest at Parliament Street police station in the capital on Friday along with 60 -70 supporters while protesting against Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa's visit to India. Vaiko was arrested while leading the MDMK protest march from Parliament Street to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's residence.

MDMK holds Rajapaksa responsible for killing of innocent Tamils in the last phase of the conflict between the Sri Lankan army and rebel LTTE.

Rajapaksa's visit led to an outrage among pro-Tamil groups with the DMK too taking to the streets to protest against the Sri Lankan President's presence in India. The DMK, led by M Karunanidhi and his daughter Kanimozhi, are leading protests in Chennai.

Vaiko was arrested while leading the MDMK protest march from Parliament Street to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh\'s residence.

The DMK-backed Tamil Ealam Supporters' Organisation will hold a protest wearing black outfits. The group will also stage a black flag protest at Tirupati. Prohibitory orders have been imposed in Tirupati in view of the protests.

Rajapaksa would not be visiting New Delhi, officials asserted, dismissing notions that the Sri Lankan President might engage with some of the Indian leaders with a view to seek New Delhi's support on the US moved resolution against Sri Lanka at the next UN Human Rights Council sessions in March.

Sri Lankan forces had crushed Tamil rebels in May 2009 after nearly three decades of brutal fighting. The conflict claimed up to 1,00,000 lives, according to UN estimates, and both sides are accused of war crimes. Sri Lanka while formulating an action plan for implementation maintained that most of the recommendations were already put in to effect.

Also See

• Pro-Tamil groups protest against Sri Lankan President Mahina Rajapaksa's visit to India

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)