Government extends ban on LTTE

New Delhi, May 15 (UNI) The Centre today extended its ban imposed on the militant outfit Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) by another two years.

The ban on the unlawful association has been extended by another two years through a notification issued yesterday, according to a official communique released today.

The ban on LTTE was imposed after the Subjects Committee of the Indian Congress unanimously adopted, on April 14 1992, a Political Resolution calling for a ban on the Liberation Tigers.

The proscriction, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, was made on grounds that the Tamil outfit was engaged in activities in Tamil Nadu which threatened the territorial integrity of India.

As per the Ministry of Home Affairs 1992 notification, on the basis of which the ban was first imposed: (a) The LTTE's objective for a homeland for all Tamils disrupts the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India and thus appears to fall within the ambit of an unlawful activity. (b) LTTE has created the Tamil National Retrieval Troops (TNRT) and encouraged and aided its members to undertake unlawful activities in India; LTTE encourages and aids United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) which is an unlawful association. (c) Persons and organisations derive inspiration and encouragement from LTTE for their unlawful activities as well as activities punishable under section 153B of the Indian Penal Code.

The latest notification, issued yesterday, comes as the ban expires on May 14.

The LTTE has been declared as a terror outfit by the US and the UK.

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