Tamil Nadu warns banned outfit supporters

In an apparent warning to a pro-LTTE group, the Tamil Nadu government today said "stringent action" would be taken against those speaking in support of banned organisations and eulogising their leaders.

Speaking in support of banned organisations, using the portraits of its leaders, their flags and insignia in public places for advertisement purposes or printing, portraying, publishing or broadcasting and telecasting is an offence under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, the government said in an advertisement published in newspapers today.

Violation of this will attract "stringent action," and any organisation which organises public meetings, conferences and rallies should bear this in mind, the advertisement issued by Chief Secretary K Sripathy said. The advertisement was issued after the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), which is part of the DMK-Congress alliance, held meetings here yesterday to celebrate the 48th birthday of its leader Thol Thirumavalavan.

Thirumavalavan had reportedly underlined his party's commitment towards Ealam, a separate homeland for Tamils, and asserted that the slain LTTE leader V Prabhakaran would return to continue the war in Sri Lanka.

SamayLive