Ban pro-LTTE outfits - Congress

INDIA: Congress, a key ally of Tamil Nadu’s ruling DMK, yesterday demanded a ban on pro-LTTE organisations in the State and asked the State Government to deal with “scourge of terrorism with iron hand.”

“Terrorism of any kind, whether it be from Sri Lanka or within the state (Maoists) or communal, should be dealt with an iron hand,” senior Congress leader D Sudarshanam told the State Assembly while participating in the debate on the demand for grants to the Home Department held by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

Without naming any organisation or political party, he demanded a ban on all outfits in the state openly supporting the proscribed LTTE. “The Tamil Nadu Government should also urge the Centre to extend the ban on the LTTE”, he said.

The Centre had first banned the LTTE in 1992 and last extended it on May 14, 2004. The organisation had been banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

Meanwhile, opposition AIADMK, alleging “breakdown in law and order” in the state, said there was a “bomb culture” happening in Tamil Nadu. PTI