Threat to national security: Centre extends ban imposed on LTTE for five more years

NEW DELHI: The Centre has extended the ban imposed on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for another five years in view of national security. The ban was extended for another five years citing growing separatist tendencies among the people and growing support in India, especially in Tamil Nadu.

The ban was imposed by the Union Home Ministry using sub-sections (1) and (3) of Section 3 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967. The Ministry of Home Affairs said in a notification that the LTTE is still engaged in activities that undermine the integrity and security of the country. The Ministry of Home Affairs has clarified that even after the military defeat in Sri Lanka in May 2009, the LTTE has not given up on the concept of 'Eelam' (an independent country for Tamils) and is secretly working for the cause of 'Eelam' by collecting funds.

The notification also said that efforts have been initiated by the LTTE leaders or cadres to reorganize the cadres and revive the organization locally and internationally. In 2021, the NIA had arrested an LTTE member in the incident of seizing a boat with weapons and drugs near Lakshadweep. The NIA had informed that he was a member of the intelligence wing of the LTTE.