India will intervene if LTTE lays down arms, says Chidambaram

CHENNAI: Putting the onus on the LTTE for halting the Sri Lankan military offensive in the north of the island nation, Home Minister P Chidambaram
has said if the outfit laid down arms, India would intervene and arrange for a negotiated settlement to the vexed ethnic issue.

"Our (Congress) policy is clear. LTTE is an armed militant group. They must announce that they are willing to lay down arms and are prepared for talks. Simultaneously, the Sri Lankan Government should suspend its military offensive," he told a public meeting organised by the party here on Sunday night.

"Indian Government will definitely arrange for a dialogue if the LTTE lays down arms and came forward for talks. A good solution can be found to the 40 lakh Tamils in Sri Lanka," he said asking the Congressmen to carry this message to every nook and corner of the state.

Chidambaram's comments came at a time when several pro-LTTE parties and outfits in Tamil Nadu are demanding immediate ceasefire in Sri Lanka and accusing the state and Central governments of "failure" to ensure safety of civilian Tamils caught in the ongoing war.

The union minister criticised the LTTE for not utilising the recent 48-hour ceasefire proposed by the Sri Lankan government to allow people to move to safer areas and come for talks.

PTI