MHA extends ban on LTTE, calls it a national threat
The Centre has imposed the ban invoking the sub-sections (1) and (3) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967
New Delhi, May 15
The Union Home Ministry (MHA) extended the ban on the LTTE by five more years for fostering a separatist tendency among the masses and enhancing the support base for it in the country, particularly in Tamil Nadu, besides threatening the territorial integrity of India.
The Centre has imposed the ban invoking the sub-sections (1) and (3) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
In a gazetted notification, MHA stated that the LTTE is an association based in Sri Lanka but has supporters, sympathisers and agents in the territory of India.
The notification read, “The Central government is of the opinion that the LTTE is still indulging in activities which are prejudicial to the integrity and security of the country…Even after its military defeat in May 2009 in Sri Lanka, the LTTE has not abandoned the concept of ‘Eelam’ (an independent country for Tamils) and has been clandestinely working towards the ‘Eelam’ cause by undertaking fundraising and propaganda activities and the remnant LTTE leaders or cadres have also initiated efforts to regroup the scattered activists and resurrect the outfit locally and internationally".
“The pro-LTTE groups/elements continue to foster a separatist tendency amongst the masses and enhance the support base for LTTE in India and particularly in Tamil Nadu, which will ultimately have a strong disintegrating influence over the territorial integrity of India,” the notification added.
It further noted, “LTTE sympathisers living abroad continue to spread anti-India propaganda among Tamils holding India responsible for the defeat of the LTTE, which, if not checked, is likely to develop a sense of hate among the Tamil populace towards the central government and the Indian Constitution. Despite the ban, the activities of pro-LTTE organisations and individuals have come to notice and attempts have been made by these forces to extend their support to the LTTE,” the ministry said.
LTTE leaders, operatives and supporters have been inimically opposed to India’s policy on their organisation and action of the state machinery in curbing their activities, the notification further added.
