LTTE will have no place in TN: M Karunanidhi

Chennai, Apr 26: Asserting that he is not a supporter of the LTTE, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today declared that the banned militant outfit would have no place in the state.

Replying to the demand for a grant for police department in the Assembly, he said he was not a supporter of the LTTE.

In the same vein, he said the DMK Government would never allow any activity of the banned organisation in the state.

Denying the charge that there was a spurt in LTTE activities in the state, especially in the wake of the seizure of ball bearings and explosive materials, he said not all those instances could be attributed to the LTTE.

''The LTTE has no place here (in the state). Everyone knows their intentions and objectives. They had not indulged in any harmful activities in the state and neither they should indulge in any such acts'' he added.

''If at all the LTTE tried to indulge in any harmful activities in the state, the government will not allow them'', Mr Karunanidhi said.

Referring to Mr C Gnanasekaran's (Cong) remarks that LTTE was involved in the recent seizure of explosive materials and ball bearings, Mr Karunanidhi said extremists involved in it were arrested. ''It was improper for the member to see all the extremists as LTTE. But this does not mean I am supporting the LTTE. I will not support the banned outfit'', he said and added that his government would not allow any LTTE activitY in the state either.

Recalling various steps taken by the government in the wake of threats to vital installations in the state, including the nuclear facilities at Kalpakkam, following the serial bomb blasts in Mumbai, Mr Karunanidhi said his government would not allow terrorism and extremism to raise its ugly head in the state.

The arrest of three people, including the detention of two under the National Security Act (NSA), in connection with the murder of Hindu outfit leader at Tenkasi in southern districts, showed that the government would not spare any one trying to disturb peace.

He also lauded the police force for cracking the rocket launcher case after they were seized in Andhra Pradesh.

UNI