Police to launch crack down on outfits with LTTE links: CM

Chennai, Feb 23 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu Government has directed the police to launch crack down on outfits and political parties, which were aiding the banned Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the state, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said toady.

Answering a set of questions, Mr Karunanidhi said if any clandestine network, as commented upon by a leading English daily in its editorial, was found correct, the police would take stern action against such organisations and political parties without any fear or favour.

The Chief Minister, reacting to the editorial, made it clear the government was very much aware of the distinction between urging the Centre to take steps to stop the genocidal attacks against innocent Tamils in Sri Lanka and allowing Tamil Nadu as a supply and landing base for the LTTE and its supporters.

Those who indulge in acts like smuggling arms for the banned LTTE should not think the Tamil Nadu Government's pleas to the Centre to take steps to ensure peace in Sri Lanka gave them a free hand to carry on with such activities, he warned.

Mr Karunanidhi also made it clear that Tamil Nadu would not directly involve in the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, ignoring the security interests of the country.

''No one need even dream of Tamil Nadu directly interfering in the Sri Lankan issue disregarding the interest of national security,'' he said.

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