India’s Naam Thamizhar Party led by director Seeman has condemned the assault on the Sri Lankan tourists in Chennai and categorically denied their involvement in the incident.
Speaking to Express, Seeman said, “Naam Thamizhar Party organises protests openly after announcing it well in advance. Our way of conducting matters are well known to one and all. We abhor violence in any form. If anybody (cadre) violates the line, the party will take action against him.”
According to Tamil groups, it was the Sinhalese tourists who had provoked the passersby and motorists near Periamet and Purasaiwalkam by marching with their country’s flags. The ‘provocation’ might have triggered the reaction by a few Tamil youth, they said.
Meanwhile, the May 17 Movement too strongly condemned the incident. In a statement, the movement said, “Chennai and Tamil Nadu has never been a place of disturbance to the tourists from the nook and corner of the world. Even during at the peak of war, the Sinhalese visited, stayed and shopped in Chennai without any fear as Tamilians are known and praised for their hospitality.”
They said it was wrong to portray the Naam Thamizhar Party as a radical outfit. - Express News