Continuing with the ban

THE UNION HOME Ministry had no alternative except to extend the ban on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) by another two years. Though there was a predictable wave of propaganda by some pro-LTTE fringe groups in Tamil Nadu calling for a lifting of the ban this time, the Centre did not waver in its decision. Two of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners from Tamil Nadu, the PMK and the MDMK, not only voiced their support for a separate Tamil Eelam, but also strongly advocated the lifting of the ban on the LTTE. The MDMK leader, Mr. Vaiko, even persuaded the Shiv Sena chief, Mr. Bal Thackeray, to come out in favour of this move. But the Prime Minister, Mr. A. B. Vajpayee, appeared determined on both counts - to extend the ban and to unequivocally reject the Eelam demand. The Home Ministry's notification extending the ban has put the lid on this controversy and sent out clear signals that there is no material change in New Delhi's Sri Lanka policy - of continuing to outlaw the LTTE, while advocating a negotiated, political settlement to the Tamil question within the unity and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. Being part of the Government, the PMK and the MDMK had no option except to accept the Centre's decision.

There were specious arguments from several quarters on why the Centre must review the ban on the LTTE now. The most common theory was that if India wanted to play the role of mediator on the Sri Lankan ethnic issue, it must renew its contacts with the LTTE. Till now, New Delhi has not conveyed its formal intent to Colombo, nor have the Sri Lankan Government or the LTTE requested India to mediate. The Centre can cross that bridge when it comes to it. But the truth of the matter now is that the Tamil Tigers have done nothing to warrant a review of the ban. They continue their terrorist activities; campaign for a separate homeland for the Tamils; Mr. V. Prabhakaran and two of his colleagues remain `proclaimed offenders' in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. Under these circumstances, there was no choice for the Centre but to extend the ban for two more years. Under the procedure laid down, the Home Ministry will set up a special tribunal to consider the ban notification. All interested parties, including the LTTE, will be free to depose before the Tribunal and present their case. Only the Tribunal can confirm the extension of the ban, within six months.

Merely banning the LTTE cannot solve the problem in India. The Centre and the Tamil Nadu Government must maintain a constant vigil on the seas and the coast to contain both LTTE infiltration and its propaganda activities here. Its smuggling and funding activities must also be monitored closely. For those who fear that the ban may come in the way of India playing the facilitator's role, it can be clearly said that the ban will not prevent New Delhi from doing that. When Sri Lanka, which has also proscribed the Tamil Tigers and is facing the wrath of the LTTE, is not handicapped in negotioting with the secessionist group, nothing can stop India from encouraging both parties to get engaged in meaningful negotiations. If the LTTE wants to make a transition and get recognised as a genuine representative of the Sri Lankan Tamils, it must at a minimum come forward to negotiate a peaceful settlement within a democratic framework and abandon its path of secession and terrorism which may be asking too much, considering its record. The violence and unnecessary loss of precious young lives in 17 long years have solved nothing, on the other hand, the moderate Tamil leadership has been eliminated and the LTTE's stranglehold strengthened.

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