DMK supports extension of ban on LTTE

Chennai, July 16 (ANI): Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief M. Karunanidhi on Monday supported the Central Government's decision to extend the ban on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for another two years.

India has denied the presence of LTTE camps in the south after Sri Lanka said separatist rebels were training cadres in Tamil Nadu to carry out assassinations.

Addressing media persons here, Karunanidhi said, "I don't have anything to say on the extension of ban on LTTE. However the ban cannot be considered as a ban on LTTE because, generally speaking with particularly reference to Tamil Nadu, it is seen as an attempt to stop any activity of terrorism in the state, and I am also one of the persons who wished so."

The Sri Lankan government crushed the LTTE in May 2009 after a quarter-century war during which the Tigers fought to create a separate state for the Tamil minority, who represent about 15 percent of the island nation's population.

"We have been constantly opposing any type of military training to Sri Lankans through our resolution, and the Central government is also accepting our resolution and has taken action against them," Karunanidhi added. (ANI)