DMK support to LTTE blamed for Rajiv’s assassination

Intelligence reports showed that illegal activities by LTTE militants in spreading their clandestine network on Indian soil went on with impunity due to the active support of influential DMK leaders, he submitted.

There is sufficient material indicating sluggishness on the part of Tamil Nadu police due to DMK’s support to LTTE, he said and added that even the Intelligence wing of the state police was allegedly infiltrated by LTTE militants.

Local DMK leaders in coastal areas, including Thanjavur, reportedly collaborated with LTTE cadres for the spread of their activities, he alleged citing documents.

The LTTE, with its increased hostility towards Rajiv Gandhi, carried on a vigorous drive to generate public opinion against the late premier and also to draw sympathy from the masses in India, he said. The LTTE projected its struggle as one of Tamils against Rajiv Gandhi in order to exploit the prevailing situation to its advantage, he submitted.

Dutta submitted that with its arrogant attitude, the LTTE tried to settle scores with rival Sri Lankan Tamil groups on the Indian soil. LTTE militants indulged in illicit trade in weapons and brought bomb culture with them, he said.

Influx of Sri Lankan Tamils to Tamil Nadu increased considerably during the period of de-induction of the Indian Peace Keeping Force from the island nation, he said. After the IPKF withdrawal, there was a spurt in LTTE’s hostile activities against India, particularly Rajiv Gandhi, he told the one-man panel.

However, records show that in order to enjoy the goodwill of Indians, LTTE elements pretended to be sincere about talks with Indian leaders, he said.