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Jaya government bans Nedumaran's party

The Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday banned the Tamil Nationalist Movement led by Pazha Nedumaran, who is in detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act for his speeches in support of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

"The Tamil Nationalist Movement has been declared an unlawful association under sections 15(2)(b) and 16(1) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1908," Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa told reporters in the evening. "A gazette notification was issued today."

Jayalalithaa said the decision was taken by the state Cabinet on August 8. "The police will take necessary follow-up action as and when they are ready."

The chief minister also referred to her letter to Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani hinting at action against M Kannappan, Union minister of state for non-conventional energy sources and a member of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.

"I have received a letter from Advani saying he has received my letter," Jayalalithaa said with a smile. Clearly, Advani had only acknowledged her letter and said nothing about her intended action.

"We will let you know if and when we take action against Kannappan," she added.

It is not clear if the state government is thinking of banning the MDMK too. MDMK general secretary V Gopalasamy aka Vaiko, MP, is also in detention under POTA.

Jayalalithaa asserted that there was no need for central intervention in the state as sought by the opposition DMK in the light of the recent violence at a gruel centre in Madurai.

The DMK has submitted a memorandum to Governor P S Rammohan Rao, urging him to ensure that the state government functions in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.

EARLIER REPORTS:
Pro-LTTE speech is no ground for disqualification, says Kannappan
Dismiss Kannappan from Union government, Jaya tells PM

The Prevention of Terrorism Act: The complete coverage

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