Date:26/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/26/stories/2008122650040100.htm

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Karunanidhi warns supporters of banned organisations

Special Correspondent

VCK planning ‘Tamil Eelam Recognition Conference’
Ramadoss slated to speak at the conference

M. Karunanidhi

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Thursday sent out a warning to the supporters of the LTTE, saying that the DMK government would not hesitate to take action against those who voiced support and acted in favour of banned organisations.

“The warning is applicable to all,” the Chief Minister said in a statement.

Responding to a question whether the DMK was supporting the LTTE in the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, Mr. Karunanidhi said the objective of his party was to ensure the safety of the Tamils in Sri Lanka.

“The DMK is not supporting those who support the banned organisations in India. The DMK government will not hesitate to take action against those who voice their support to such organisations,” he said.

The warning has come at a time Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi (VCK), an ally of the DMK, is making preparations for ‘Tamil Eelam Recognition Conference’ on December 26 in Chennai. PMK founder S. Ramadoss is slated to speak at the conference.

As regards the entry of the Dalits into Panthapuli temple in Tirunelveli district, the Chief Minister, while acknowledging the role of the CPI(M), clarified that the struggles organised by the party alone did not pave the way for it.

“Can the entry of Dalits into temples be prevented under the DMK regime, which has given rights to all sections of society to perform poojas in temples,” he asked.

The Chief Minister said the DMK government was giving utmost priority to constructing buildings for courts and residential quarters. “So far, the DMK government has allotted Rs 120 crore for the construction of buildings. An additional Rs 100 crore will be allotted in the next financial years,” he said.

Citing a report published in The Hindu, he said the crop insurance scheme introduced by the State government proved a saviour of farmers in the delta region. The extension of time for paying premium for crop insurance scheme had helped more farmers in the delta districts.

On the setting up of a unit of the National Security Guard in Chennai, he said he wanted one unit to be stationed in Chennai and had made a request on December 4. The NSG Commandant had recently announced that Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chennai would have one unit each.