The Madurai bench of the Madras high court today sought a reply from the Indian Government on a petition filed against India's participation at a defence conference to be held in Sri Lanka in August.

The petition was filed by Virudhunagar-based advocate S M Anandamurugan seeking an interim injunction restraining the Indian defence delegation from participating at the conference.

The petitioner brought forward that the Indian Government’s absence from the conference will be in the best interest of the Fishermen of India and the people of Tamil Nadu.

Justices M Jaichandren and R Mahadevan, the bench directed the Indian Goverment to file a reply on or before August 12 and adjourned the matter.

According to sources it is known that a top level delegation from India’s defence sector and members of the parliament are expected to attend the conference.

However India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is yet to express his ideas regarding India’s participation, although Indian political sources suggest that India will take part in the conference despite the objections of TN.

The petitioner also told that, "69,000 Sri Lankan Tamils continue to live as refugees in 110 camps in 25 districts in the state. They live in 10 by 10 feet homes. Their livelihood concerns run deep. Desperate for a better life, people in these camps often make futile attempts to escape to other countries. The younger generation of the refugees face a bleak future. While being so, India's participation at the defence conference is amounting to betrayal of Tamils."