TN warns stern action against supporters of LTTE

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Chennai, January 30:: Receiving flak from its key ally Congress in the Tamil Nadu Assembly for failure to rein in LTTE supporters, the DMK government on Wednesday warned of stern action against those who speak in support of banned outfits.

"Any speech supporting the banned outfits or propagating their ideals is a crime under the Unlawful Prevention Act and legal action will be taken against those who indulge in such acts," Law Minister Duraimurugan told the assembly on Wednesday, without making a direct reference to the LTTE.

His statement assumes significance in the wake of the Congress' demand for the arrest of Thol Tirumavalavan, leader of the Viduthalai Chiruthigal Katchi (VCK), another DMK ally, for his speech at a public meeting recently, seeking revocation of the ban on Tamil Tigers.

On Tuesday, Congress members walked out of the house, dissatisfied with the explanation offered by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on the LTTE issue.

The DMK is 22 seats short of a simple majority in the 234-member house. The Congress, which has 35 members, is extending outside support to the government.

Making a suo motu statement in the house on Wednesday, Duraimurugan said a high-level meeting, headed by the Chief Minister, was held at the Secretariat in Chennai which was also attended by Finance minister K Anbazhagan, Advocate General M Masilamani, Chief Secretary L K Tripathy and other top civil and police officials.

The meeting discussed the possibilities of bringing a new legislation to prevent the activities of supporters of banned outfits, but it was decided that the action would be taken against those who supported such organisations under the Unlawful Prevention act, he said.

Karunanidhi, in response to criticism from Congress members, said on Tuesday that he did not subscribe to Tirumavalavan's views and that it was a mistake on latter's part to criticise the Congress and AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa.

But at the same time the Chief Minister quoted a Supreme Court judgement on a POTA case, saying a person could not be arrested for merely speaking in support of a banned organisation.