The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : No room for banned LTTE in State, avers Karunanidhi

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 27, 2007
ePaper

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

No room for banned LTTE in State, avers Karunanidhi

Special Correspondent

Says Government has strengthened security at various sensitive places

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Thursday made it clear that the DMK Government would allow no room for the banned terrorist outfit, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, in the State.

Replying to the debate on the demands for grants for Home, Prohibition and Excise departments in the Assembly, Mr. Karunanidhi said he did not support the LTTE. "The LTTE has no job here. It is not involved in any activity here. Their aims and purposes are different."

He said the Government was firm against allowing any room for terrorism in the State. Referring to incidents such as the unearthing of a crude rocket component manufacturing unit at Ambattur, arrest of three persons following the killing of a Hindu Munnani activist and the threat perception at Kalpakkam, Mr. Karunanidhi said the government had strengthened security at various sensitive places, invoked the National Security Act where necessary and managed to gain crucial intelligence inputs that led to a breakthrough in many cases.

AIADMK's criticism

Participating in the debate, treasurer of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) legislature party D. Jayakumar criticised the Government for scaling down allocation for the coastal security group (CSG) and modernisation of the police force.

The previous AIADMK Government had earmarked Rs.1.42 crore for the CSG in 2006-2007 while the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Government allocated Rs.1.38 crore for the current financial year. Allocation for modernisation had also come down from Rs.50.32 crore in 2005-2006 to Rs.47.47 crore now.

He also referred to press reports on the movement of LTTE men in the State, piling up of arms, illegal manufacture of weapons and seizure of arms and ammunition while being smuggled into Sri Lanka.

The DMK Government had not taken steps to fill 11,739 vacancies to meet the sanctioned strength, Mr. Jayakumar said. He asked the Government to take steps to install cameras at important traffic junctions to monitor and regulate traffic in Chennai. He called upon the Government to take steps to rescue a large number of missing children.

Congress leader's caution

Congress Legislature Party leader D. Sudarsanam said the Rajiv Gandhi assassination had left an indelible scar in the minds of Congressmen.

It had been the wish of the Congress that the Sri Lankan Tamils should lead a peaceful and prosperous life. However, the island Tamils' issue should not affect the sovereignty of the country or peace in the State. He also stressed the need for stepped up vigil along the 1,076 km-long coast to prevent infiltration by extremists and smuggling of dangerous material to the island.

Though some persons had been trying to exaggerate certain developments in the State, the Government was duty bound to curb smuggling of essentials for the banned LTTE from States including Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, he said.

Leader of the Pattali Makkal Katchi G.K. Mani asked the Government to enact a special law to curb cyber crimes, including threats issued to political leaders and vital installations.

He also wanted setting up of a special wing to curb violence and extremist activities.

He sought early action to start a school of excellence for the wards of police personnel.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu