India extends ban on LTTE by two years

New Delhi, May 14: On reports that the remnants of Sri Lankan rebel group, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), are regrouping in Tamil Nadu, the government of India has decided to extended the ban on the outfit by two more years.

In the notification issued on Friday, May 14, the Home Ministry stated that even though LTTE was defeated in Sri Lanka, "recent reports reveal that remnant LTTE cadres and leaders are regrouping in Tamil Nadu."

The possibility of LTTE's remnant cadres using India and especially Tamil Nadu as a rear base for their regrouping activities and the possibility of them entering in the guise of Tamil refugees cannot be ruled out, the Home Ministry noted.

Quoting sources, media reports said that LTTE sympathisers were posing a threat to India as they continue to spread anti-India sentiments through the medium of Internet.

Certain remnant cadres have been noticed in Tamil Nadu and a extension of ban on LTTE was required, sources added.

The LTTE has been listed as a terror organisation by various countries including in the United States. India termed the V Prabhakaran-led group as a terror outfit and banned it in 1992 after the rebel outfit assassinated former Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi in 1991.

OneIndia News