LTTE involved in arms smuggling, alleges Jaya

Chennai, May 3 (UNI) AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa today alleged that the banned LTTE was involved in the smuggling of arms and ammunition seized recently.

In a statement here, she recalled the recent seizures mentioned in the policy note of the Police department and said that except for the LTTE, no one could be involved in such activities. ''How can innocent Sri Lankan Tamils be involved in such arms smuggling acts,'' she asked.

''This only showed that Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has a soft corner for the LTTE and is providing indirect support to it, though he had declared in the State Assembly that the DMK Government would not support the banned outfit,'' she said.

Ms Jayalalithaa recalled the seizure of iron ball bearings meant for the LTTE, the arrest of five people, including four Sri Lankan Tamils, and the seizure of a boat, AK 56 rifle, 124 rounds of ammunition, five bombs and a jacket loaded with explosives from them near the Palk Strait on February 13.

In a follow up action, the Q branch police found that sophisticated bombs were concealed in the boat. After getting permission from the court, the explosives were defused and the boat was destroyed in high seas, she pointed out.

UNI