2ND LEAD

India: While taking action against LTTE, steps should also be taken to protect civilians

[TamilNet, Monday, 15 September 2008, 09:30 GMT]
India's Defence Minister A K Antony was quoted by Press Trust of India (PTI) on Monday as saying: "While taking action against the LTTE, steps should also be taken to protect the civilian Tamils in Sri Lanka and ensure their safety and security." The statement by the Indian Defence Minister has come in the wake of reports that Indian military personnel were involved in providing military support to the Sri Lankan forces.

"We have already expressed our concern to the Lankan authorities," Mr. A K Antony told reporters while replying to question on the situation in the island country, the PTI reported adding that India has asked Colombo to ensure their safety and security.

At least two Indian radar operators were wounded last Tuesday when LTTE launched a major attack on Sri Lankan forces Vanni headquarters, located in Vavuniyaa. Following the reports of Indian personnel at the offensive headquarters of the Sri Lankan forces in Vanni, several Tamil leaders in Tamil Nadu, including the leftist parties have condemned India's active engagement in Sri Lanka's war against Eezham Tamils in the island of Sri Lanka.

Vaiko, the general secretary of the MDMK, in a letter to sent Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, has charged that according to the information he had, there was a large number of Indian technocrats and military personnel, up to 265 persons, who were fully engaged and assisting the Sri Lankan military.

"Now the Indian Government is caught red handed in its unpardonable betrayal against the Tamils," he said and blamed the top level bureaucrats in India, particularly the national security adviser, for "clandestinely conspiring" with the Sri Lankan government.