2ND LEAD (CORRECTION)

India refuses landing to Pirapaharan's mother

[TamilNet, Friday, 16 April 2010, 22:35 GMT]
Mrs. Vallipuram Parvathi, the ailing mother of LTTE leader Mr. Velupillai Pirapaharan, was refused landing by Indian immigration officials at Chennai airport Friday night around 11:30 p.m., media sources in Tamil Nadu said. Mrs. Parvathi, travelling from Malaysia, was seeking medical treatment in India. She was sent back to Malaysia in the same flight. Tamil Nadu leaders Nedumaran and Vaiko were at the airport and they were later joined by the members of the VCK party of Thirumavalavan. According to media sources citing immigration officials, Mrs. Parvathi is considered by India as a threat to law and order situation in the country. Members of I'lanthamizhar Iyakkam (Young Tamils Movement) led by Mr. Arunbarathy and Director Ram continued staying at the airport at the time of this report, demanding explanation from responsible officials.

Mr. Thiruvengadam Velupillai, the father of Mr. Pirapaharan passed away in Sri Lanka Army detention at Panagoda in January this year.

The LTTE leader's parents had been living in Tamil Nadu but opted to go to Vanni before the war broke out.

Last May, both the parents of Pirapaharan, who were living in Vanni and went into IDP camps were taken to Panagoda and were detained there. Both were denied of medical facilities and were allegedly humiliated while in detention.

After the death of her husband in detention, Mrs. Parvathi was released and was allowed to go to Malaysia for medical treatment on March 02.

Mr. M.K. Sivajilingam, former TNA MP, was provided with power of attorney by Pirapaharan's sister living in Canada to conduct the funeral of Mr. Velupillai and to look after the interests of Mrs. Parvathi.

Mr. Sivajilingam took the body of Mr. Velupillai to Valveddiththu'rai for the last rites and thereafter accompanied Mrs. Paravathi to Malaysia.

Sivajilingam, who went to Chennai a couple of days back was also refused landing and was turned back after 4 hours of stay at Chennai airport.

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