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India worried about civilian sufferings, says Pranab

Pranab Mukherjee

NEW DELHI: India on Thursday said the situation in Sri Lanka remained a matter of grave concern and that it was worried about the effect of the continuing conflict on civilians caught up in circumstances not of their making. “It is essential that their rights be respected, that they be immune from attacks, and that food and other essential supplies be allowed to reach them,” External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in a statement here.

Mr. Mukherjee said New Delhi had consistently made it clear that normality could not be brought about by military means or battlefield victories. What was required was a peacefully negotiated political settlement which allowed each community to realise its potential within the framework of a united Sri Lanka. The Government of India, he stressed, would do all in its power to achieve this goal to ameliorate the humanitarian conditions in Sri Lanka and had been making representations to Colombo at several levels.

Mr. Mukherjee emphasised that harassment and killing of Indian fishermen in neighbouring areas must stop forthwith and said the government would take steps to ensure this.