Tamil Nadu police comb for Tigers

Tamil Nadu police and its intelligence wing "Q Branch" have launched a combing operation following reports that a group of LTTEers had sneaked into the coastal areas of Ramanathapuram district.

"We have asked all the lodges and hotels to be checked," a police official said yesterday.

The search was launched following intelligence reports that the Tigers had entered through the coastal areas after a pitched battle between the Sea Tigers and the Sri Lankan Navy in the sea off Katchathivu and Nedunthivu.

Meanwhile, a body with a blue shirt was found floating in sea off Rameswaram but it was not identified, police said.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President M Krishnaswamy gave a clean chit to the DMK Government.

Speaking to reporters after hoisting the Congress flag to mark the party's founding day, Krishnaswamy said law and order in the State was satisfactory.

"When compared with other states, Tamil Nadu is a haven of peace," he said, expressing hope that the Government will take tough action if LTTE operatives were present.

"We cannot forgive the LTTE as we have lost our leader Rajiv Gandhi because of them," the TNCC President said.