MDMK to protest against demolition of Tamil martyrs memorial in TN

Opposing the demolition of the compound wall and removal of a park at the Mullivaaikal Memorial in Tanjavur, built in honour of Tamil 'martyrs' in the civil war in Sri Lanka, MDMK today announced state-wide protest on November 16.    

Party chief Vaiko charged the ruling AIADMK with having intentions of "removing" the entire memorial and therefore it had moved the court against its unveiling, he said.   

The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court had given the go ahead for the inauguration of the memorial which was unveiled on November 6 by World Tamil Confederation President and noted pro-Tamil leader P Nedumaran.    

Vaiko said protests will be held at district headquarters to condemn the state government on the memorial issue.    

Meanwhile, CPI state unit secretary D Pandian appealed for the release of Nedumaran and others, arrested yesterday when they staged a protest without proper permission.    

Officials demolished the compound wall of the Mullivaikkal memorial and removed the park, alleging that they were constructed on encroached highway land.    

Smaller pro-Tamil outfits including RSYF held protests against India's participation in Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) Meeting in Sri Lanka.
(The New Indian Express)