Southern States alerted against LTTE attacks

Intelligence inputs have indicated that the Prime Minister could be attacked when he visits Tamil Nadu in the first week of January. Inputs also indicated that LTTE cadre could already be hiding in Tamil Nadu, collecting equipment or explosives to build up their capability to launch attacks.

The Centre has issued an alert to all southern States, particularly Tamil Nadu, following intelligence inputs that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which was run over by the army in Sri Lanka, may be trying to regroup in India.

Fresh threats

Highly placed sources in the Union Home Ministry said on Thursday that intelligence agencies had warned of fresh threats from the LTTE to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram and Union Home Secretary G. K. Pillai.

They said the inputs, emanating from different quarters, indicated a threat to Dr. Singh who is scheduled to visit Tamil Nadu in the first week of January.

LTTE terror elements might have entered the country and could be in hiding in Tamil Nadu or other Southern States.

The inputs also pointed to the possibility of LTTE cadres collecting equipment or explosives to build up their capability to launch attacks.

The sources, however, said it was not clear how and from where LTTE elements were procuring explosives, arms or ammunition.