Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi [Images] today urged the Centre to take steps in sending immediate medical assistance to thousands of injured Sri Lankan civilian Tamils caught in the cross-fire between the LTTE [Images] and the island nation's Army.

Terming that the situation "critical and alarming" and calling for an immediate intervention, Karunanidhi in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] said, "It will be appropriate for the Government of India to send immediate medical assistance on 'humanitarian grounds' to Sri Lanka [Images]."

He said according to rough estimate, from January 15 till date, about 36,000 people had moved out of the war-zone and have been re-located in various makeshift camps."

While stating that Tamil Nadu was also willing to supplement this effort, he said, "The Centre should immediately rush substantial number of experienced and trained physicians, surgeons, para-medical staff with required medicines and equipment  to support and assist the injured and sick populated who were relocated in make-shift camps in Sri Lanka."

He also urged the Centre to take immediate and effective intervention to work out modalities with the Government of Sri
 Lanka and to arrange for early despatches of medical teams and equipment along with medicines.