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India, TN on the same page on Tamils: Wigneswaran

13 Jun 2014 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The newly formed Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government and Tamil Nadu will not be at variance in regard to the political needs of Sri Lankan Tamils, Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran said.

Observing that Tamil Nadu was intertwined in the political complexity in India, he said: “Mr. Modi seems to have identified the priorities as far as our immediate needs are concerned. He seems to have impressed the same upon our leaders. It is for our Government to take the cue and act fast.”

The Chief Minister spoke to The Hindu recently, days after Mr. Modi’s meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa in New Delhi, where he pushed him for the early and full implementation of the 13th Amendment and even go beyond that.

The emphasis on what is often referred to as “Thirteen plus,” promised by President Rajapaksa during diplomatic negotiations with the former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in 2010, has significance for the functioning of the Northern Provincial Council (NPC). The 13th Amendment, which followed the Indo-Sri Lanka accord of 1987, mandated the creation of provincial council with certain powers devolved to the provinces.

Observing that his hands were tied, the Chief Minister pointed to heavy militarisation of the Northern Province as a major obstacle to administration. “We knew the inadequacy of the 13th Amendment and did expect some interference, though the scale of interference from the military, despite being in the spotlight of the world is worrisome for what it portends, not only for the North East but for the rest of the country.”

However, with a former army commander serving as Governor of the province, and a chief secretary whose loyalties are reportedly with him, the Chief Minister said he was “frustrated and disappointed” but has not lost hope.

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India, TN on the same page on Tamils: Wigneswaran

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