|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 4 August 2002 |
 |
|
 |
Politics |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Massive 'demo' to protest detention of another pro-LTTEr by S. Selvakumar The detention of yet another pro-LTTE political figure in Tamil Nadu has provoked a massive protest demonstration at Pt. Pedro. Well-known Tamil nationalist leader P. Nedumaran who heads the Tamil National Movement, was detained by Tamil Nadu police on Friday reportedly for pro-LTTE statements made at the International Tamil Conference that recently concluded in Chennai. He joins pro-LTTE radical Y. Gopalaswamy in detention under the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA). Nedumaran was produced before a magistrate and remanded till August 28. Earlier on July 11, Y. Gopalaswamy, a Member of Parliament who was also a member of the ruling coalition was arrested on his return from the United States on a similar offence under the POTA. Party leaders of the Tamil National Alliance consisting of TULF, PLOTE, ACTC, EPRLF (Suresh wing) and TELO vehemently condemned the arrest. The TNA said when the government of Sri lanka is getting ready to hold talks with the LTTE and at a time when both the government and the LTTE are observing a ceasefire, the arrests in Chennai were "utterly irresponsible". New Delhi recently enacted the POTA amidst protests by the Opposition parties. At the time of enactment the government promised that it will not misuse the Act. Citing this promise, Opposition parties in Tamil Nadu said that the Chief Minister is misusing this Act to arrest Tamil leaders. After the arrest of Nedumaran, Jayalalitha has despatched an urgent letter to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to sack Energy Minister Kannappan from the Cabinet. In her letter, she has cited the same reason to sack the minister. Meanwhile, Y. Gopalaswamy who was earlier arrested under the POTA in a statement issued from Chennai central jail has reiterated his wholehearted support to the LTTE and said Sri Lankan Tamils and their aspirations cannot be separated from the LTTE and as such his party MDMK will always back the LTTE. In Point Pedro on Friday the Tamil National Alliance organised a massive procession and rally in support of Gopalaswamy at the end of which slogans were shouted against Jayalalitha and an effigy of her was burnt. According to All India Radio news broadcast on Saturday morning, Tamil Nadu Police Commissioner S. Naival said any person who organises meetings and speak in support of the LTTE will be arrested and prosecuted. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
