The Centre has extended five more years the ban imposed on Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The terror group functioning from neighbouring Sri Lanka that is believed to be involved in the assassination of former prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, was banned under the section 3 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
LTTE was banned by India soon after the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. Though the terror organisation operates from Sri lanka, it is alleged to have many sympathisers and fund raisers in India.
In the order banning the LTTE, the government said that the Eelam’s continued violent activities were prejudicial to the integrity and sovereignty of India. Further, the order said that LTTE continued to take anti- Indian stand and also posed a great threat to the security of the country.
The government further said that the LTTE continued to spread anti Indian feelings amongst the Tamils in Lanka by holding India responsible for the defeat of their struggle. Though the LTTE was defeated in 2009, the LTTE had not given up their concept of an independent statehood. There are also efforts by the split up LTTE members to reunite.
Apart from LTTE, some of the other organisation that have been banned under the Unlawful Activities (prevention) Act include Pakistan based terror outfits, Khalisthan based terrorist groups, Kashmiri Separatist Organisations, Students Islamic Movement of India, Indian Mujahideen, Maoist groups and Islamic State.
Velupillai Prabhakaran formed the LTTE in Sri Lanka in 1976 with an aim for a separateTamil eelam or state in the island country.
