20-01-2008

Tiger alert in TN as cops search for LTTE cadre

(IANS)-CHENNAI — The Tamil Nadu police has begun searching for cadres of Sri Lankan dissident outfit the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) across the state following reports that many have fled to India in view of stepped up action against the group in the neighbouring country.

This follows the recent arrest of LTTE operatives in Tamil Nadu, neighbouring Karnataka and the national capital.

The police have said there are hundreds of Sri Lankan Tamils in the state who do not have proper registration papers.

Tamil Nadu has been sheltering 64,000 refugees in 111 camps since the ethnic conflict broke out in Sri Lanka in the 1980s.

"The police are also drawing up a list of those who overstay after their valid permits end," P. Rajendran, director general of police, told the media here on Friday.

Meanwhile, reports from Rameswaram said an Indian Navy warship has taken up position in the Gulf of Mannar to step up vigil along the strip of water that separates India from the Thalaimannar tip of north Sri Lanka. This stretch is a popular crossover point for Sri Lankan Tamils.

The newly-posted mayor of the textile hub of Tirupur, near Coimbatore, has filed a police complaint saying LTTE cadres have threatened him and are demanding money.

Mayor K. Selvaraj on Friday said he has been receiving several threatening calls on his mobile phone from London from 8.20am onwards. The callers have been demanding Rs.10 million for the 'Eeelam cause'

Source-Khaleej Times