CPM demands unbiased action on LTTE supporters

CHENNAI: The CPI (M)’s Tamil Nadu unit yesterday demanded “unbiased action” against those supporting banned outfits or supporting armed rebellion for the Sri Lankan Tamil cause.

Referring to the arrest of MDMK leader Vaiko and party’s presidium chairman M Kannappan for allegedly making pro-LTTE speeches, the Party’s state unit secretary, N Varadarajan, said such action should be “unbiased,” in an apparent reference to some Tamil film directors reportedly demanding separate nationhood for Tamil Nadu.

In a statement here, he said demands for a separate Eelam as the permanent solution for the ethnic strife and a separate Tamil Nadu “will do no good for the Tamils in Sri Lanka.” He called for unity among “democratic forces” in the state which favoured a political solution to the problem in Sri Lanka through dialogue.

The party also condemned secessionist demands made by some persons.

Chennai Online

TN film director in custody

Chennai: Indian movie director Seeman was arrested yesterday by the Tamil Nadu Police for allegedly making secessionist statements and justifying the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991 by Tiger suicide bombers, official sources said.

Seeman is the third person to be arrested under section 124 (A) of the Indian Penal Code (sedition) for making seditious statements during the last 24 hours.

On October 19, during a protest rally in Rameshwaram, the director had threatened to take part in an armed war against India. Police indicated that director Ameer, who made similar statements along with Seeman, was also likely to be arrested.

MDMK leaders Vaiko and M. Kannappan were arrested on Thursday and remanded in 14 days of judicial custody.

The Tamil Nadu unit of the Congress had demanded the arrest of Seeman and other movie directors Ameer and Bharti Raja for the same offences.