State Govt Was Kept In The Dark On Ltte Activities Dmk

The ruling DMK of Tamil Nadu yesterday charged the Centre with having adopted a dual policy while dealing with LTTE and said central agencies never drew the attention of the state government regarding any militant activities in the state before the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi.

Submitting written arguments before the Jain Commission, probing the conspiracy behind Rajivs killing, DMK counsel, Rakesh Sharma, said officials of Intelligence Bureau, customs, navy and army never complained about any support and patronage the militants allegedly enjoyed in Tamil Nadu.

He submitted that these officials who participated in periodical meetings on law and order with Tamil Nadu chief secretary or home secretary between 1989 and 1991 did not draw the state governments attention to any of the alleged militant activities.

On the contrary, records show these officials praised and appreciated the steps taken by the state government, Sharma claimed.

Accusing the then central government of having adopted a dual policy with regard to Sri Lankan Tamil militants, he said a letter by the then Governors advisor dated May 20, 1988 complained about contradictory stand taken by Centre in dealing with LTTE.

He alleged that 157 LTTE militants who had been detained under the National Security Act were released from prison on October 10, 1988 when Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was fighting in Sri Lanka and subsequently flown to Jaffna by Indian Air Force planes.