VCK makes vain bid to erect LTTE chief's cutout

Chennai, Jan 25 (UNI) The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), a staunch supporter of Eelam Tamils, made a vain bid to erect a cutout of LTTE chief V Prabhakaran in the city last night.

VCK, a constituent of the DMK-led DPA in Tamil Nadu, tried to erect the cutout as part of its 'Freedom of Expression' (Karuthurimai Maanadu) conference organised to mark the Language Martyrs' Day, today.

Some Parliamentarians from Sri Lanka were expected to attend the conference.

Police sources said soon after the VCK cadres brought the cutout to the conference venue at the upmarket Aminjikarai area, they were persuaded not to erect it.

Police also cited the prevailing political situation in the State and the advertisement issued by the Government warning action against those extending support to banned organisatons.

Acceding to it, the VCK cadres did not erect the cutout of the Chief of the proscribed outfit.

However, no arrests were made in this connection, the sources said.

The government's warning came in the wake of some pro-LTTE parties, including the VCK, taking out a rally to mourn the killing of LTTE Political Wing Leader S P Thamilchelvan by the Lankan military.

Staging of demonstrations and organising rallies condoling the death drew widespread criticism and the Congress party, also a constituent of the DPA, went to the extent of demanding a ban on those parties supporting the LTTE, which had assassinated former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and its chief Prabhakaran was declared a proclaimed offender in the case.

A soulful poem penned by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi in Thamilchelvan's memory also drew criticism from the State Congress and also from the Congress high command in New Delhi.

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