Karuna revives TESO, demands Elam for Lankan Tamils


Reviving a pro-Ealam organisation floated nearly three decades ago, DMK President M Karunanidhi today pitched for a UN-sponsored referendum for a separate homeland (Eelam) for Sri Lankan Tamils and asked India to play a role in it. Chairing the first meeting of the Tamil Ealam Supporters Organisation (TESO) headed by him in 1985, Karunanidhi said it would promote the struggle for Tamil Ealam in "democratic and peaceful" means. "For the formation of a Tamil Ealam, UN should conduct a referendum and the Government of India should take all efforts for this purpose," a resolution adopted at the meeting presided over by the 88-year old DMK leader said.


Countries such as East Timor, South Sudan, Kosovo and Montenegro had come into existence by way of UN-sponsored referendum and a similar exercise should be held in both Tamil-speaking areas of Sri Lanka and among expatriate Lankan Tamils, while the Sinhalese should not be allowed to vote. "India should extend its support and cooperation and exert pressure at the United Nations and other global fora,"it said. Karunanidhi, who had last week made public his move to revive the TESO, said irrespective of whether being in power or not, he had always voiced his concern for Sri Lankan Tamils.

He recalled his boycott of the return of Indian Peacekeeping Force (IPKF) 1990 after it faced allegations of excesses against Tamils in Sri Lanka, and going on a fast in 2009 demanding ceasefire, both as Chief Minister. He also claimed credit for India backing a US-sponsored resolution at the UN against Sri Lanka for alleged war crimes. Asked if TESO would support the LTTE if it resurfaced, he said it would do provided the latter took to a struggle under democratic ways. Asked if slain LTTE leader V Prabhakran was alive, he said "crusaders don't die." The first meeting of the revived TESO was attended by its four other members, including party General Secretary K Anbazhagan and Dravidar Kazhagam chief K Veeramani.

Source: PTI

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