Congress demands extension of ban on LTTE

Chennai, May 9 (UNI) The Congress, a key constituent of the DMK-led DPA in Tamil Nadu, today demanded extension of the ban on outlawed Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Speaking on the demand for grants for Home Department in the State Assembly, Mr K R Ramasamy of Congress said the ban on LTTE, imposed in the aftermath of the assassination of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi in May 1991, was scheduled to expire soon.

''The State Government should recommend to the Centre and ensure that the ban on the LTTE is extended,'' he added.

Earlier, initiating the debate, P K Sekar Babu of the main Opposition AIADMK recalled the recent incidents and alleged that the law and order had deteriorated in the state.

Recalling how the previous AIADMK regime headed by Ms J Jayalalithaa had dealt with extremism with iron hand and rooted out LTTE activities and other Tamil extremist outfits in the state, he said incidents of violence, mercenary killings, burglaries and dacoities were on the rise.

Pointing out the recent caste clashes and desecration of statues in the southern districts, he said people were living in a state of fear.

The looting of arms from the Adhiyamankottai police station and arrest of Maoists in the Kodaikanal forest areas showed that the state had become an arms godown and had become a haven for anti-social elements.

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