War crimes in SL: Govt to explain its stand today

New Delhi: The government is expected to clear its stand on the alleged war crimes against ethnic Tamils by the Sri Lankan army on Wednesday. After ruckus in Parliament on Tuesday, External Affairs Minister SM Krishna is expected to state the government's position on alleged Human Rights violations in Sri Lanka.

This after a video allegedly showing LTTE chief Prabhakaran's 12-year-old son's bullet-riddled body created a storm in Parliament on Tuesday.

Tamil political parties have been putting pressure on New Delhi to vote against Colombo at the UN Human Rights Council, but the government is unlikely to give in.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wrote to DMK Chief M Karunanidhi to cool tempers but in a clear hint of India playing it safe the Prime Minister also indicated that Delhi may not back the UNHRC resolution against Colombo.

This has come despite strong protests from Tamil Nadu political parties, including the UPA ally DMK.

"What is the Centre's stand on the issue?" DMK MP Kanimozhi asked.

Whether it's a UPA ally or a rival, the demand from Tamil Nadu's political forces is united – New Delhi must vote against Colombo at the UNHRC. However, in the midst of the domestic political ruckus, New Delhi still seems indecisive and concerned about the diplomatic fall out.

To calm the Tamil temper, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wrote a letter to Karunanidhi in which he said, "With regard to resolution in UN human rights council, we are engaged with all parties in an effort to achieve an outcome that is forward looking and ensures that rather than deepening confrontation and mistrust a way forward is found."

However, the political fire in Tamil Nadu is fuelled further by the pictures showing the bullet ridden body of 12-year-old Balachandran, the son of slain LTTE Chief Velupillai Prabhakaran, allegedly killed by Sri Lankan forces.

It's part of several alleged war crime videos from the last days of the war against the LTTE. While Colombo has denied the allegations, the focus back home is on the stand New Delhi will take.