TN successfully thwarting extremist outfits:Karunanidhi

Chennai, May 9 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu government has successfully thwarted the extremist outfits gaining ground in the state by arresting Maoist gangs, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi told the State Assembly today.

Moving the demand for grants for police department, he said the state police have thwarted two successive attempts by Maoists in organising training camps in the forests.

By stepping up their vigil, police had arrested 17 CPI Maoist cadres during 2007 and four of them were detained under the National Security Act.

He said though the extremist menace was being felt in several states in the country, Tamil Nadu was free from extremist violence due to effective, preventive and proactive measures taken by the police by activating its intelligence machinery.

''The state police force, by launching frequent combing operations in the forest areas and conducting round-the-clock checks and erection of check posts in State borders, has stalled the efforts of extremists from neighbouring states from gaining foothold in the state,'' he added.

Mr Karunanidhi said the activities of the outlawed Tamil Nadu Liberation Army (TNLA), 'Tamizhaga Viduthalai Iyakkam' and other extremist organisation were under close watch to prevent them from indulging in any act that may disturb the peace and tranquility in the state.

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