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Published on - 1/25/2008

Ban Parties Openly Supporting LTTE: Congress

EXPRESSING CONCERN over reported rise in LTTE activities in Tamil Nadu, the Congress yesterday asked the State Government to ban political parties and organisations openly supporting the proscribed outfit.

Participating in a discussion on the motion of thanks to the Governor for his address to the assembly, C Gnanasekaran (Cong) cited reports that 102 LTTE cadres had infiltrated the State during the last two years and cases had been filed against 40 of them under the National Security Act.

Recalling the recent arrest of LTTE intelligence wing leader Thambidurai Parameswaran and others, who allegedly attempted to procure arms and material for the LTTE, he questioned the “inaction” of the State's intelligence.

He said the LTTE should be viewed in two phases — before and after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

The scar over Gandhi's assassination still remained among Congressmen, he said and urged the Chief Minister to take steps to extradite LTTE chief V Prabhakaran, the prime accused in the case, against whom a non-bailable warrant was pending.

Stating that the LTTE had also killed several Tamils, Gnanasekaran wondered how some parties and organisations in the State were openly supporting the outfit.

The Government should ban such organisations and completely curb their activities, he urged.

Earlier, P K Sekarbabu (AIADMK) said the law and order situation had deteriorated and a “bomb culture” had grown in the State during the last two years.

Citing the attack on TNCC President M Krishnaswamy in October last,he said neither the opposition party leaders nor the leaders of DMK's allies had security in the State.

Participating in the debate, CPI floor leader V Sivapunniyam expressed concern over the reported supply of arms and defence equipment to the Sri Lankan Government by the Centre. Intervening, Congress whip S Peter Alphonse said India had certain responsibilities as a key SAARC nation. The Centre was only providing training to the Sri Lankan Forces and not supplying arms, he said.

He said the Centre had taken Karunanidhi into confidence on the Lankan issue and National Security Advisor M K Narayanan had been frequently apprising him about the steps taken by the Centre in this regard. PTI