Chennai: Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) chief Vaiko on Friday staged a day-long fast at the party headquarters here as part of the relay fast launched by his party on August 27 in support of Senthooran, an inmate of the special refugee camp in Poonamallee. Senthooran has been on an indefinite fast demanding the release of refugees in the special camps at Chengalpet and Poonamallee.
In his address, Vaiko said, “Today marks the 26th day of Senthooran’s fast and the 12th day since he stopped taking water. His only request is to release all the inmates in the special refugee camps. But the government here is not showing mercy on those inmates. On the other hand, it (state government) writes to the Central government to stop the training being given to Lankan army men in Wellington. We request the government to act as early as possible and save the lives of inmates who are on a fast unto death.”
Following the death of Senthooran’s aunt Kamaladevi, who was on her way from Colombo to meet him, political parties and Eelam Tamil supporters staged protests all over the state. “Today, Senthooran fainted in the camp. No doctors were called to the scene. He was taken to the officers’ room later.In the last 26 days, doctors have visited the camp only on six occasions.” Vaiko told the Express.
At a press conference earlier in the day, Vaiko criticised the statement of Minister of State for Defence Pallam Raju on the training of Sri Lanka soldiers. “Pallam Raju’s comment reflects the thought of Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh. Our party cadre will continue to protest till the training being given to the Lankan army personnel is stopped.”
When asked about the HC judgment on Koodankulam N-Plant, he said, “We will continue our struggle in spite of the judgement.’’
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