Tamil Nadu Govt asked to take action against pro-LTTE leaders

(December, 15, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) Expressing concern over reports of increasing activities of the LTTE in Tamil Nadu, Congress leader and Union Minister E V K S Elangovan today asked the state government to be vigilant and take action against political leaders expressing support to the banned outfit.

Referring to the reported speech of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal (VC) President Thol Tirumavalavan, an ally of the ruling DMK, in support of the LTTE, he told reporters that the Government should take action against him if there was prima facie evidence.

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• PROFILE OF SHRI. E.V.K.S. ELANGOVAN,
  Minister of State - Commerce & Industry
  Government of India
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  E.V.K.S. Elangovan was born at Erode on 21st December, 1948 in a family well known for the contribution in political and social development in Southern India. His father, E.V.K. Sampath, one of the important leaders of Indian National Congress Party in Tamilnadu was the son of E.V. Krishnaswamy, elder brother of Periyar E.V. Ramasamy, the legendary Dravidian leader and one of the greatest social reformers India ever produced.
  
  He was elected as the Secretary of Presidency College Students Congress in the year 1967. He held various positions in the Indian National Congress such as President, Periyar District Youth Congress (1978- 1980), President, Erode City Congress Committee (1980- 1982), General Secretary, Erode District Congress Committee (1982- 1983), President, Erode District Congress Committee (1990- 1996), Member, All India Congress Committee (since 1996), General Secretary, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (1998- 2000), President, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (2000- 2002), and Working President, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (2002- 2003). He has also been very active in trade union activities. He has been associated in INTUC’s Transport wing for the last 25 years.
  
  In the year 1984 he was elected to Tamilnadu Legislative Assembly from Satyamangalam constituency. In the year 2004 he has been elected to Lok Sabha from Gobichettipalayam constituency with a margin of over 2 lakh votes

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He also recalled the State DGP's notice last month, announcing a ban on taking out processions, holding public meetings or condolence meetings in support of the LTTE.

Citing reports about the recent arrest of two LTTE cadres in the state, Elangovan said the State Government should be on high alert and take measures to check the LTTE activities.

Pointing out to the release of VC leader Vanniyarasu on bail the same day he was arrested on the charge of supplying computer spare parts to the LTTE, Elangovan cautioned that such incidents would disturb peace in Tamil Nadu.

Earlier, speaking at a 'diploma awarding ceremony' for Sri Lankan journalists, organised by the city-based SRM university, the Union Minister said the ethnic crisis in the island nation could be amicably resolved, but some people in Tamil Nadu were politicising the issue.

He exhorted Sri Lankan journalists to play a major role in resolving the decades-old ethnic crisis in their country.

The Indian Government was firm on the view that Tamils should not be treated as second citizens in Sri Lanka, but at the same time it was against the violent activities of the LTTE, he added.