The leader of the Crusaders for Democratic Party, C. Vendan, called on India to expedite the release of the remaining freed convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case who are presently detained in special camps.

The call to release the remaining freed convicts comes following the death of Santhan who was freed from the case over a year ago but died a few days before his return to Jaffna.

The remaining freed convicts are Murugan, Robert, and Jayakumar

“We hope the Tamil people in India understand the plight of Tamils in Eelam,” said Vendan. “The relationship between these two countries pre-dates to many years,” he added.

He faulted politicians for squandering the relationship between the two regions and added that it must be resumed on a good footing. “On behalf of our people, we request the central government to immediately release the other three who are also serving in the same camp as Santhan, and for them to be allowed to return home swiftly.”

Santhan was buried in Jaffna earlier this month. Speaking about Santhan’s death, his legal counsel Pugazhendi told reporters during a media briefing in Jaffna that it was a “planned act of vengeance”.  “His death was a planned act of vengeance perpetrated by the Indian government,” he told the media at the Jaffna press club. “It was to take revenge for Rajiv Gandhi’s murder.”

“The court order to release him was intentionally ignored by the local police and the district collector,” he said. “They deliberately concealed the information from Santhan and myself, and prevented him from leaving to Sri Lanka.”