Lanka issue: DMK threatens to pull out ministers

Mounting pressure on the Centre on its demand to punish 'war criminals' in Sri Lanka, United Progressive Alliance key ally Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has threatened to pull out its ministers from the Union Cabinet if its demand to bring in amendments to the US-backed resolution at UNHRC in Geneva was not conceded.

"DMK will find it meaningless to continue in the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh-led Cabinet if our demand is not obliged to," party chief M Karunanidhi said in a statement late Friday night.

"While so many opinions on the resolution by the US are doing the rounds, DMK insists on New Delhi bringing amendments to that motion, wherein those responsible for genocide are identified and an independent international probe is launched against the war-criminals within a specified time frame," he said, reiterating the party's demand.

DMK has been keeping up the pressure on New Delhi to vote in favour of the resolution.

Tamil Eelam Supporters Organisation, revived by Karunanidhi last year, had launched a series of protests, including observing a dawn-to-dusk strike on March 12 to put pressure on the Centre on this issue.

The chorus for action against Sri Lanka grew stronger after pictures of slain LTTE chief Prabhakaran's son's cold blooded killing appeared in the media.