Tamil Nadu unveils steps to curb pro-LTTE activity

Tamil Nadu Wednesday announced stern measures against political outfits openly expressing support to the banned Tamil Tigers group of Sri Lanka, virtually banning all such activity. The government, however, did not name any political party or organisation backing the cause of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which has been banned in India since 1992.

Law Minister Durai Murugan told the assembly that any individual, group or political party espousing the cause of banned outfits would be punished under The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 (37 of 1967) and jailed.

AIADMK and Congress legislators had accused the government of being soft on the LTTE and walked out of the house Tuesday despite Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's attempt to assuage frayed tempers.

Following a high-level meeting chaired by the chief minister and attended by Finance Minister K. Anbazhagan, Advocate General Masilamani, Chief Secretary L.K. Tripathy and the police brass, the government decided that it was time to warn all organisations supporting banned bodies, Durai Murugan announced.

"Any activity in support of banned organisations in the form of public meetings, demonstrations, processions, fasts, publication and dissemination of pamphlets, posters etc. will be construed as punishable under The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967.

"All organisations should take note of the fact that if such activity is undertaken by individuals, groups, associations and/or political parties that can be construed as support to banned organisations, they will be punishable under the aforesaid law," Durai Murugan said.

Electricity Minister and DMK treasurer Arcot N. Veerasamy informed the assembly that all the 12 fishermen held by the Sri Lankan Navy had been released due to the intervention of the central and Tamil Nadu governments.

At the same time, he urged the Rameshwaram fishing community to resume work.

Many political groups in Tamil Nadu openly support the LTTE, which is fighting to form an independent Tamil state in Sri Lanka's northeast.

The LTTE was outlawed in India a year after one of its suicide bombers blew up former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi near here in May 1991.

Source: indiainteracts.com