LTTE ban extension likely tomorrow

By Vinay Kumar

NEW DELHI, MAY. 12. The Government is all set to renew the ban on Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) which expires on May 14. Sources in the Government indicated that the formal notification extending the ban for another two years would be issued by the Union Home Ministry on May 14.

Though the extension of the ban under Section 5 of the Unlawful and Activities (Prevention) Act is only a formality, it assumes importance in the wake of developments in Sri Lanka. Sources pointed out the Government had already agreed in principle to extend the ban but the formal notification would be issued on the date when the ban already in force expires.

The indication comes amid inputs received here that the LTTE was concerned over exercises conducted by the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard along the Eastern sea board. The LTTE was said to be worried over the pressure the exercises would exert on it if the Sri Lankan Navy also increased its presence along the Northern Sri Lankan coast.

Reports with the intelligence agencies suggest that while the LTTE was expecting that the Indian Government would lift the ban, it nevertheless has welcomed the Indian proposal for mediation in case both the sides agreed to it.

The External Affairs Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh, called on the Union Home Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani, here this evening. It is learnt that the two discussed the Sri Lankan situation in the meeting that lasted for about an hour.

While the PMK has demanded lifting of the ban and described the LTTE activities in Sri Lanka as ``liberation struggle'', the BJP rejected it saying there was no question of lifting the ban on LTTE.

At the all-party meet here on Tuesday, the Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee, categorically stated that India was not for a separate Eelam, and that it favoured a solution to the crisis in the island country ``within the framework of Sri Lanka's unity and territorial integrity.'' Some of the National Democratic Alliance constituents had spoken in different voices but the Government had reiterated it was against military intervention and also wanted protection for the island's minorities, especially the Tamils.

In a meeting with the Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani, last month, the Janata Party president, Dr. Subramanian Swamy, had pointed out that recently Canada had followed the U.S. in banning the LTTE as a terrorist organisation. While demanding extension of the ban, Dr. Swamy had told the Home Minister of the growing ISI-narcotic trade connection of the organisation.

Refugee influx

An official spokesman of the Home Ministry stated there has not been any significant influx of refugees from Sri Lanka. In April, 198 refugees reached Tamil Nadu and by May 9 nearly 114 arrived. While 463 refugees arrived in 1998, the figure went up to 769 last year.

Most of the Sri Lankan refugees arrived in Rameshwaram from where they were taken to the transit camp in Mandapam after verification. He said that relief was provided though India is not a signatory to the United Nations Convention of 1951 and Protocol of 1967 dealing with the status of refugees. At present, there are about 70,000 Sri Lankan refugees accommodated in 129 camps in Tamil Nadu and one camp in Orissa. The Government, the spokesman said, aimed at repatriation of all the refugees with the assistance of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

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