"Tamils want action for war crimes against Sri Lanka. We will not accept the training of Sri Lankan airmen anywhere in India."

"This is anti-Tamil and inappropriate at a time when the whole world is seeking action against Sri Lanka for violations in the war."

She went on to say,

"When the international community is raising its voice that India should urge Sri Lanka to accord equal rights to Tamils, the news of Sri Lanka Air Force personnel (coming) for nine months training at the Tambaram air force station (near here) is like piercing (our) heart with a spear."

The Chief Minister's statement comes as members of the Naam Thamilar Katchi held a protest in front of the Tambaram air force base, chanting slogans condemning Sri Lanka. The protestors then marched to the railway station and sat along the railway tracks, demanding that India scrap the training programme.

Union shipping minister G K Vasan also joined the growing chorus of protest against the training, adding,

"It is a matter of concern, considering the cruelties faced by Tamils in Lanka."

He also noted the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president B S Gnanadesikan will lodge an official protest against the training offered to Sri Lankan personnel.

Other parties such as the MDMK and ruling constituent member DMK have also condemned the training and backed the demand for the Sri Lankan participants to be sent home.

See our earlier posts:

Sri Lankan Air Force personnel moved from Tamil Nadu after strong protests (06 July 2012)

Jayalalitha condemns India’s training of Sri Lanka Air Force (05 July 2012)