CHENNAI, July 8: The Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) has urged the state government to redefine its strategy in handling the on-going caste clashes in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu. The appeal was one of the three resolutions passed at the party's state executive committee which met at the TMC headquarters, Sathyamoorthy Bhavan, on Monday.

Party spokesperson B S Gnanadesikan informed mediapersons that while expressing grave concern at the on-going violent situation in the southern districts, the committee has advised the state government to take firm steps. These strict measures should not only instill confidence in the minds of those affected in the clashes but also put fear into those instigating the violence, the resolution said.

It further exhorted the government to identify the anti-social elements responsible for the clashes and take legal action against them before holding talks with the various community representatives. ``Only this can pave the way for communal peace and harmony,'' the resolution stated.The executive committee further appealed to all the sections of society, including community leaders, to take sincere steps to put an end to the communal clashes.

Another resolution directed TMC partymen not to participate in any casteist functions. The executive, while reiterating that ``though we are Tamilians, we are Indians by nationality'', asked partymen to refrain from attending any functions with a casteist tenor.

The executive committee wholeheartedly hailed the state government and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi for his courageous decision in removing the names of leaders given to districts and transport corporations. It also welcomed the government's decision to institute scholarships in the names of these leaders.

The meeting was presided over by TMC president G K Moopanar and attended by 165 members. The committee has 172 members, which include party MPs, MLAs, district presidents and other state office bearers. nŽUt› =žTt›as. The militants were resorting to selective killings to create a fear psychosis among the people, he added.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.