Warn Sri Lanka, says Vaiko

Warn Sri Lanka, says Vaiko

MDMK general secretary Vaiko and M. Kannappan (in spectacles),
presidium chairman, coming out of a court in Chennai on Thursday.

CHENNAI: MDMK general secretary Vaiko and presidium chairman M. Kannappan, who were arrested on charges of sedition, were released on Thursday as the prosecution did not press for extension of their remand in judicial custody.

K. Ravi, VII Metropolitan Magistrate, said he was releasing the two since the prosecution submitted that investigation had been completed and further remand was not necessary. “Considering the submission of both sides and perusal of the case revealed that the investigation is completed and both the accused are let off,” the Magistrate said. He asked them to appear in the court on summons. “No justifiable ground” Mr. Vaiko earlier made a submission that there was no justifiable ground to order the extension of remand.

The two leaders were arrested on October 23 under Section 124(A) IPC (Whoever brings or attempts to bring in hatred or contempt or excites disaffection towards the government) and Section 13(1)(b) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (Whoever advocates, abets in, advises or incites the commission of any unlawful activity). Later addressing mediapersons, Mr. Vaiko said he and Mr. Kannappan had not committed any offence. Recalling the petition submitted in the court, Mr. Vaiko said the speeches were not supportive of any claim to bring about secession of a part of the territory of India from the Union. “It was only a caution made in the interest of the unity and integrity of India,” he added.

He said the MDMK was committed to the unity and the integrity of the country. “We don’t need a certificate of patriotism from anyone,” he said.Mr. Vaiko said India should warn Sri Lanka in no uncertain terms to stop the war. “If India decides to stop the war, it can achieve it in five minutes. India must talk in terms of imposing economic sanctions on Sri Lanka,” he said. The MDMK leader said: “Supply of arms to the perpetrators of the war against the Tamils will amount to betrayal of the Tamil race.”The Hindu