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LTTE still active in TN, contends government counsel before ban tribunal

Despite the stringent measures taken by the police, activities of the banned Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam are continuing in Tamil Nadu, according to state 'Q' branch superintendent of police T V Ravichandran.

Ravichandran made this submission before the Unlawful Activities Prevention Tribunal, which had its sitting in Thiruchirappalli on Saturday to consider an application filed on behalf of the LTTE as to whether sufficient grounds existed for the renewal of the ban on the militant outfit.

The tribunal, headed by Justice S K Mahajan, a sitting Delhi high court judge, commenced the sitting, amidst tight security.

During the cross-examination by LTTE counsel N Chandrasekaran, Ravichandran said the state government had arrested a number of LTTE supporters and seized arms and ammunition, communication equipment and cyanide capsules from them since last year. These showed that the LTTE activities continued in the state, he added.

Moreover, 41 LTTE militants attempted to infiltrate into the state, posing as Sri Lankan Tamil refugees. But they were arrested and lodged in three special camps for the refugees, he said.

He submitted that though the activities of the LTTE in the state had been checked to some extent, they were very much there and said it was not in the country's interests.

Ravichandran replied in the negative when the LTTE counsel asked him if he was aware of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's reported statement that the LTTE was not carrying out its activities in the state.

Justice Mahajan, sitting judge of the Delhi high court who was appointed as the presiding officer of the tribunal soon after the May 14 notification renewing the ban, had issued notice to the LTTE and the central and state governments. While a vakalat was filed by the LTTE that N Chandrasekaran, had been authorised to appear on its behalf, affidavits were filed by the central and state governments explaining the circumstances that led to the imposition of the ban and its renewal.

Official sources said the May 14 notification had made it clear that the LTTE's objective of a homeland for all Tamils posed a threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India and this fell within the ambit of unlawful activity.

Chandrasekaran said he had already cross-examined Pai, director, Union home ministry on October 23 at New Delhi and he would file his written submissions before the tribunal in the national capital shortly.

UNI

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