Tamil MPs disrupt Prez speech over Lanka crimes

Tamil Nadu MPs on Thursday shouted slogans during President Pranab Mukherjee’s maiden address to a joint sitting of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, demanding that India should strongly denounce the alleged “war-crimes” committed by Sri Lankan armed forces in the 2009 offensive against Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

National Conference MP from Jammu and Kashmir G N Ratanpuri too tried to raise the issue of execution of Afzal Guru, who was convicted of 2001 attack on Parliament. He was, however, placated by Ministers of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Shukla and V Narayanasamy.

The President later referred to India’s engagements with Sri Lanka in his speech and said that New Delhi would continue its effort to ensure equality for Tamils in the island nation.

“We are making progress in our engagement with Sri Lanka, including in our efforts to resettle and rehabilitate the internally displaced people there and to ensure a life of peace, dignity and equality for the Tamil people,” said Mukherjee.