India asks Lanka to end hostilities, LTTE to lay down arms

New Delhi, Feb 5 (PTI) External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee today asked Sri Lanka to ensure safety of civilians during the military campaign against "terrorist organisation LTTE" even as Home Minister P Chidambaram voiced unhappiness over resumption of "hostilities" by Colombo and said both Tamil Tigers and government forces should bring an end to it.Mukherjee said India is concerned about the safety of civilians caught in the conflict between Sri Lankan forces and LTTE in the north of the island nation.
"We are concerned about the plight of the civilians in Sri Lanka and have asked them that along with the military exercise against the terrorist organisation LTTE, the Government will have to ensure that the life and property of the civilians are not put in danger," he told reporters here.
Earlier, Chidambaram said, "We are deeply anguished at the loss of lives. We are not happy that the Sri Lankan government has resumed hostilities. It is for both sides to cease hostilities." Sri Lanka must suspend hostilities and LTTE must lay down arms, he said, adding, "This must happen simultaneously. It requires both hands to clap. Unfortunately, we are not able to prevail over the LTTE to lay down arms and not able to prevail over the Sri Lankan government beyond a point.
"We once again appeal to both sides to give up hostilities and come to the negotiating table." PTI