ON BOARD PM'S SPECIAL AIRCRAFT: With the "war" in Sri Lanka escalating, India on Tuesday said it will do everything to protect the rights and humanitarian conditions of Tamils in the island nation.

Commenting on the violence in Sri Lanka, a senior official travelling with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Japan told reporters that New Delhi is not going to help the LTTE, as it is a terrorist organisation behind the assassination of an Indian Prime Minister and has not even apologised for it.

"There is a clear distinction between the LTTE and the Tamils," he said.

At the same time, the official reiterated that India will do everything to protect the rights and humanitarian conditions of Tamils in Sri Lanka.

He stressed that ordinary civilians must be protected in the ongoing war and New Delhi will also urge the Lankan Government for restraint in this regard.

India is already working with Red Cross, UN bodies and with the Sri Lankan authorities for the supply of food and essential items in the conflict zone.

However, the official added that there is a distinction between the LTTE and Tamils in Sri Lanka and even the opinion of political parties in Tamil Nadu is divided on this.

Courtesy - Times of India