Scrap training of Sri Lankan army, demand DMK MPs

A group of MPs of the DMK, a key UPA constituent, Tuesday met Defence Minister A.K. Antony and demanded a halt to the training programme for Sri Lankan army personnel here, terming it the programme an act that would affect the "sentiments of Tamils".

"We have submitted a memorandum to Defence Minister Antony; we have asked the Centre to immediately stop the training programme for Sri Lankan army personnel. These kind of acts will affect the sentiments of Tamils, who are already agitated," a DMK MP, who was part of the group, told IANS.

"Such acts will create doubts in the minds of people of Tamil Nadu about the government's intentions."

The delegation was led by T.R. Baalu.
"We have given the memorandum... the minister said he will consider it," the MP said, adding: "There is no change in the stand of the centre to the training programme, which has hurt the sentiments of Tamils across the globe."

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and DMK chief M. Karunanidhi have been repeatedly writing letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh urging that the training programme be stopped immediately.