Karuna to go on fast on Lanka resolution issue

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Stepping up pressure on the UPA government over the issue of US resolution against Sri Lanka at UNHRC on its alleged war crimes, its key ally, DMK on Monday announced a state-wide fast led by party patriarch M. Karunanidhi on March 22.

The party's announcement came even as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that India was 'inclined to' vote in favour of a resolution on Sri Lanka which meets 'our objectives' with regard to the future of ethnic Tamils.

However, speaking to reporters, Karunanidhi said, "We welcome the announcement (by Singh) if it is true. We will wait for the final decision."

DMK has convened a meeting of its high-level committee tomorrow to discuss the resolution issue.

A one-day fast will be observed on March 22 demanding India's support for the resolution, Karunanidhi said.

"The fast will be held seeking India should come forward to support the resolution which calls for investigating war crimes by the Sri Lankan government which continued to kill Tamils even after the end of the war," Karunanidhi said in the statement.

While he would lead the fast in Chennai, the details about the rest of the state will be announced later, the statement said.

The Prime Minister had earlier informed the Lok Sabha that 'we are intending to vote in favour of the resolution on UNHCR on Sri Lanka'.

"The resolution should cover India's objectives to achieve a future for Lankan Tamils based on equality, dignity, justice and self respect," he had said.