India says LTTE active in Tamil Nadu even after 2012 ban

A special tribunal constituted by the Delhi High Court reserved its verdict on whether the Centre’s ban on terror group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) needs to be upheld.

The tribunal, headed by Justice G P Mittal, reserved its order after conclusion of arguments by the government represented by advocate Anil Soni as well as other parties in the matter.

The central government as well as state of Tamil Nadu submitted before the tribunal that as per the documents and oral evidence on record, “LTTE continues to practice violent, disruptive and unlawful activities, which are prejudicial to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of India”.

“Despite a continuous ban on LTTE since 1992 in India, its activities continue to pose a threat and are detrimental to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India directly or through various pro-LTTE organizations,” the government has submitted before the tribunal.

The central and state governments have also submitted that LTTE and pro-LTTE groups have been active in Tamil Nadu even during the period of ban on the outfit since May 2012.

LTTE has been banned for a further five years under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act by the central government.