Political parties across Tamil Nadu staged protests and held rallies on Monday, demanding that an international probe and process of accountability take place in order to punish the perpetrators of mass atrocities committed during the final stages of the armed conflict in Sri Lanka.
Hundreds of activists from the Tamilaga Valvurimai Katchi (TVK) were arrested by Indian police as they attempted to picket railway stations in the southern Indian state. Some 350 people were arrested at Salem Railway Junction with another 330 people detained at Omalur and a further 332 people at Magudanchavadi, states The Hindu. Another 150 were also arrested at Erode.
In Namakkal, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhatgam (MDMK) activists held a protest demanding an international probe into the killing of Tamil civilians by Sri Lankan security forces.
Meanwhile, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol. Tirumavalavan addressed a rally in Madurai on the same day stating “it was important that the accused in the killing of Tamils should be booked and punished by the International Court”.
The rallies come following the passing of a resolution by the Tamil Nadu state government calling on the Indian central government to back an international investigation into the mass atrocities committed during the end of the armed conflict in Sri Lanka.
The move was widely praised by political parties across the state.
See our earlier posts:
Tamil Nadu chief minister hailed for resolution on Sri Lanka (17 Sep 2015)
Tamil Nadu passes resolution calling for international inquiry in Sri Lanka (16 Sep 2015)