Congress slams pro-LTTE elements

The Congress, the main ally of Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK, and the state's main opposition AIADMK Wednesday slammed "secessionist moves" by regional parties and the Tamil film industry under the guise of supporting the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka.

Congress Legislature Party leader D. Sudarsanam and AIADMK chief J. Jayalalitha decried attempts of organisations and individuals openly supporting the banned Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and demanded their arrest and prosecution.

"The Congress calls for stern action against pro-LTTE elements - regardless of their being politicians or media personalities as they have openly begun secessionist moves," Sudarsanam told reporters after an urgent meeting of Congress legislators.

"The National Security Act should be invoked against movie directors Seeman and Ameer for canvassing support for terrorists, espousing separatist causes in India and threatening to start an armed rebellion from a public platform in Rameshwaram Oct 19. "Failure to do so will result in agitations to prosecute persons like Seeman and Ameer who blatantly insulted Congress martyrs (late prime ministers) Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi," Sudarsanam added.

Jayalalitha blamed Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and Congress president Sonia Gandhi for allowing "secessionist movements" to take root in Tamil Nadu and allowing a free run for terrorist organisations with links to the LTTE for espousing separatist causes.