10 May 2000

From Jal Khambata

NEW DELHI: The Vajpayee Government is reimposing ban for another two years on activities of the Sri Lanka-based Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in India that expires this Saturday even as at least four partners in the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) -- Shiv Sena, Akali Dal, MDMK and PMK -- publicly call for lifting the ban.

The Government's hands are tied by the recommendation received from the DMK-ruled Government in Tamil Nadu to extend the ban and it was primarily the activities of LTTE in Tamil Nadu that had warranted the all-India ban in the first instance, a top source in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) disclosed.

The Centre's papers were already kept ready for extension of the ban and they are now processed for issue of the order since only early this week it received the required proforma from the  Tamil Nadu Government stressing need for further ban, the PMO sources said.

LTTE'S PLEA TO PM: Even the LTTE has faxed a letter from its international headquarters in London, urging Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to "kindly lift the ban so that we can talk to you."

Welcoming India's offer for mediation between the LTTE and Sri Lanka Government, the LTTE communication to Vajpayee points out that the tripartite talks were already on between Sri Lanka, LTTE and Norway and India can be a "facilitator" in these talks. The LTTE, however, finds itself in a piquant situation to talk to India even as it remains a banned organisation in the country, the letter points out.

AND, HANGING: Meanwhile, the Home Ministry is also processing papers for hanging of four LTTE activists in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, following receipt of recommendations from the Tamil Nadu Government. It would be complete one year on May 17 since the Supreme Court had confirmed the capital punishment on the four culprits.

The final orders for hanging are to be issued by the President on the recommendations of the Union Cabinet, the sources added. END