Red alert in TN over LTTE

CHENNAI: Days after US intelligence agency FBI listed LTTE as the most "dangerous outfit and deadly extremist group in the world", a red alert has been sounded in India, particularly Tamil Nadu, following a warning from the Interpol.

"This is not just because of the FBI statement. We have realised that the LTTE infiltration has increased, at least by three times, in the region. They also seem to be developing networks for communication besides discretely raising money and support for their plans," said a senior intelligence officer.

The arrest of seven Sri Lankans, including an LTTE intelligence member, on Thursday was one such plan thwarted by the Chennai Q branch. They were gleaning information on Varadaraja Perumal, leader of rival group Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front, who has been hiding in India as he was on the LTTE hit list.

According to them, Thambidurai Parameswaran alias Nathan alias Suruli, the member of LTTE intelligence wing, was working under the guise of a taxi driver of a hotel. He was in touch with most of Perumal's family. He had been spying on Varadaraja Perumal, whose daughter's wedding has been scheduled early next month in Delhi, to the LTTE leaders in Sri Lanka.

They were also suspected to have been spying information on Sri Lankan minister Douglas Devanand.

"We have been advised to be extremely careful and alert. It was one such exercise that helped us spoil most of their plans. But we are expecting some larger game plans," said a senior officer based in Tamil Nadu.

The issue had been politicised by opposition parties, including AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa. At a recent press conference, she had alleged that the LTTE was being allowed to carry on smuggling arms and explosives. Earlier, chief minister M Karunanidhi had penned a tribute to the slain LTTE leader Tamilselvan.

Source: Times of India