CHENNAI: Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy has demanded an inquiry into the death of Muthukumar, who committed suicide in support of Sri Lankan Tamils here.

Addressing reporters here on Monday, Dr. Swamy said he had strong suspicion that Muthukumar was made a scapegoat. He had reliable information that Muthukumar had been assured that he would be saved in time.

The language used in the suicide letter had Sri Lankan Tamil slang. Some Tamil words used in the suicide note were those mostly used by Sri Lankan Tamils. The probe should also look into the burning of national flag at five places in the State.

Terming illegal, the February 4 general strike called by the Sri Lankan Tamil Protection Movement, Dr. Swamy urged the government to arrest those who sponsored the strike under the National Security Act.

The government should not allow a handful of pro-LTTE persons to hold society for ransom.

Condemning the LTTE for not releasing innocent Tamil civilians during the 48-hour ceasefire announced by the Sri Lankan government, Dr. Swamy charged that the LTTE continued to endanger the lives of Tamils by holding them hostage.

He said the solution to the ethnic problem lay in a federal constitution, which had been promised by Sri Lankan President. It was the responsibility of India to make Sri Lanka keep its promise.

Dr. Swamy said Pattali Makkal Katchi leader S. Ramadoss on Monday telephonically contacted him and appreciated his demand for time-bound steps by the Sri Lankan government to implement the devolution package for Tamil regions. He assured Dr. Ramadoss that he was always for extending help to the suffering Sri Lankan Tamils but it should not be linked to the LTTE.

Dr. Swamy urged Election Commissioner Navin Chawla to resign as it was not proper for him to hold the post after charges were made against him

 The Hindu