Vaiko arrested for "pro-LTTE speech"

[TamilNet, Thursday, 23 October 2008, 17:22 GMT]
Tamil Nadu state police arrested MDMK General Secretary Vaiko, a staunch supporter of Tamil Eelam cause, on Thursday afternoon for allegedly making "highly inflammatory speeches in support of the LTTE".



His repeated emphasis on a possible threat to Indian sovereignity if the Tamil ethnic issue was not solved under the pretext of Sri Lankan sovereignity has earned him the ire of the state government of Tamil Nadu.

The fiery leader was arrested from his Anna Nagar residence at four in the evening. His statement that he was ready to bear weapons for the sake of Eelam Tamils in a hall meeting in Chennai on 21 October is being cited as the reason for the police action.

"This is a highly disheartening move. One wonders why the Chief Minister had to stoop to such a level to settle personal scores, especially at a time when everybody was united under him in fighting for the Tamil cause," an MDMK office-bearer said, on conditions of anonymity.

The arrest, which has shocked the state, also had its share of mixed reactions.

A few political analysts in Chennai attributed this sudden development as Chief Minister Karunanidhi's reaction to Opposition leader Jayalalitha's statement a few days before that had she been in power she would have arrested MDMK leader Vaiko, directors Seeman and Ameer for their "secessionist" speeches.

A DMK sympathiser pointed out that Mr Karunanidhi had successfully checkmated Jayalalitha through this move and put her in a tight spot: she would now have to choose between supporting Vaiko (her only ally), or supporting his arrest. This could also give the necessary breather to the State Government which is under heavy criticism from the Congress for taking up the issue of Eelam Tamils.

According to news reports in Chennai, MDMK party leader Kannappan will also be arrested soon.



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