Pranab asks Lanka to mitigate Tamil pilght,rules out mediation

Kolkata, Apr 17 (PTI) Deeply concerned over the
humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka, India today appealed to
the Rajapaksa Government to respond to the Tamil civilian
problem in the war zone but ruled out any mediation on the
issue.

"India is deeply concerned about the humanitarian
situation in Sri Lanka. Continuing conflicts have been taking
a heavy toll among Tamil civilians caught in the crossfire
(between Sri Lankan troops and LTTE)," External Affairs
Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in a statement issued at a
hurriedly-called press conference here.

Ruling out mediation in the situation, Mukherjee said
"no question of mediation. We were not offered to mediate. Our
policy is quite clear. The current concern is to ensure
security and safety of civilians trapped in the 'no-fire'
zone."

Stating that India has been repeatedly expressing it
concern and shock to Colombo and asking for safe passage to
the civilians, he made it clear that the military action
hurting the Tamil civilians was unacceptable.

"Continuation of the precipitated military action has
been leading to further civilian casualties, which is totally
unacceptable," he said.

"We have welcomed the announcement by Sri Lankan
President Mahendra Rajapaksa on the cessation of hostilities
in the last two days," Mukherjee said.

He said while it was incumbent on the part of LTTE to
release all civilians and internally displaced persons under
their control, "the Sri Lankan government could not be
oblivious to the human tragedy and the fate of the Tamil
civilians caught up in the so-called 'No Fire' zone."

India was clear that there was no reason not to
continue with the pause in military action in the 'No Fire'
zone, he said.

The minister noted that India had rushed humanitarian
supplies, including medicines, food and other items for the
trapped civilian population.

A 62-member emergency medical unit treated serious
cases at Polomoddai. "We will soon send another consignment of
40,000 family packs in northern Sri Lanka."

Asked to comment on Sri Lanka's recent rejection of
Norway government as its mediator, he said, "the internal
problem of Sri Lanka will have to be resolved by the Sri
Lankan parties and the government within the framework of that
country's constitution without affecting its territorial
integrity."