It is not without basis that makers of Family Man in Season 2 of the series, had shown a Tamil Tiger-type leader in exile siding with the Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) to reignite the flames of Tamil separatism.
After years of dormancy, there are alarming signs that the LTTE, a once-infamous terror group, is making a resurgence in Tamil Nadu. Recent developments suggest a potential revival with growing support from sympathizers across the globe. Notably, Tamil politician Pazha Nedumaran had asserted that the group’s iconic figure, Viduthalai Puligal Prabhakaran, may still be alive. Furthermore, security agencies have uncovered troubling evidence linking sympathizers to illicit activities such as drug and arms trafficking in South India, believed to be in collaboration with Pakistan’s ISI, as disclosed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
On Friday (1 September 2023), social media was flooded with criticism directed at both the state and central governments over alleged intelligence failures. This criticism stemmed from an incident in which a former LTTE operative, now a leader of the Crusaders for Democracy Party (Jananayaga Poraligal Katchi) in Sri Lanka, visited the Rajiv Gandhi Memorial in Sriperumbudur. His purpose was to “pay respect to Dhanu,” the suicide bomber responsible for assassinating the former Prime Minister.
Tulasi Amaran, the individual in question, shared photographs of this visit on his social media page on Wednesday (30 August 2023). In his posts, he claimed to have paid tribute to “Dhanu Akka,” noting that she also lost her life on May 21, 1991, in Sriperumbudur. The caption accompanying the images read, “Dhanu Akka died in Sriperumbudur. Paid floral tribute by Crusaders after 32 years.” It is said that Tulasi Amaran could have visited the memorial on August 20, Rajiv’s birth anniversary.
This incident isn’t the sole recent occurrence where LTTE sympathizers have displayed their activities. On 14 February 2023, Pazha Nedumaran, an 89-year-old supporter of the LTTE, held a press conference in Thanjavur. During the conference, he made a significant assertion, stating, “I wish to convey that Prabhakaran is still alive and in good health. I am pleased to inform the Tamil diaspora of this fact. This could potentially address all the speculations and queries surrounding him. Prabhakaran will soon personally announce his next plan for the liberation of Tamil Eelam.” Additionally, Nedumaran encouraged Tamils worldwide to “come forward to welcome” Prabhakaran.
LTTE sympathizers are not confined to verbal expressions of support; they are actively engaged in attempts to financially rejuvenate the terror organization. They are seeking to generate funds by channeling the proceeds from illicit activities such as drug and arms trafficking in Tamil Nadu. These operations are reportedly emanating from the Trichy Special Camp, where individuals accused under the Passport Act are detained.
The Nation Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested nine Sri Lankans on 20 December 2022, from a special camp for refugees in Tamil Nadu for their alleged involvement in illegal drugs and arms trade to revive the LTTE terror group.
The accused were identified as C. Gunashekharan alias Guna alias Prem Kumar, Pushparajah alias Pookutti Kanna, Mohammad Asmin, Alahapperumaga Sunil Ghamini Fonseca, Stanly Kennady Fernando, Ladiya, Dhanukka Roshan, Vella Suranka alias Gamage Suranga Pradeep, and Thilipan alias Dileepan.
A team led by SP Dharmaraj of the NIA, Kochi arrested the accused for drug trafficking and arms trafficking in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka in an attempt to revive the LTTE. They had been lodged at the special camp for their involvement in some other crimes.
In July 2022, the NIA filed a case in connection with the smuggling of drugs, arms, and ammunition from Pakistan to India and Sri Lanka in order to resurrect the LTTE.
Subsequently, an NIA team led by DIG Kaliraj Maheshkumar conducted a search on the premises of the Trichy special camp for foreign nationals on July 20. The NIA seized mobile phones, SIM cards, pen drives, hard drives, laptops, WiFi, and other electronic devices during the massive raid. The NIA found inmates with ties to the smuggling case.
The accused were arrested in connection with the seizure of narcotics and illegal arms on a boat intercepted near Vizhinjam Port. In 2021, defense forces intercepted a boat in the Arabian Sea near Kerala’s Vizhinjam Port. The boat contained 300 kg of heroin, five AK-47 machine guns, and 1000 rounds of 9 mm bullets, according to authorities.
In its investigative findings, the NIA disclosed that the case revolves around the operations of a Sri Lankan drug cartel overseen by individuals known as C Gunashekharan (alias Guna) and Pushparajah (alias Pookutti Kanna), both Sri Lankan nationals residing in Chennai. However, they are detained in Trichy special camp. They are reportedly collaborating with Haji Salim, a supplier of narcotics and arms based in Pakistan. According to the NIA’s allegations, Haji Salim has been actively involved in illegal drug and arms trade in India and Sri Lanka with the intent of supporting the resurgence of the LTTE in both countries. It is reported that there is a known agenda within Pakistan’s ISI to bolster terrorism activities in South India through LTTE sympathizers, mainly from rural Tamil Nadu.
Reports indicate that a variety of narcotics, including heroin, morphine, hydrocodone, opium, Norco, Contin, Percocet, Codeine, and more, were transported from Sri Lanka to the Tamil Nadu coastline. Given the vigilant monitoring of borders in Gujarat, Kashmir, and Punjab by defense forces, the Tamil Nadu coast has emerged as a prime location for the smuggling of drugs from Sri Lanka.
Of particular interest is the fact that one of the accused individuals hails from Bengaluru, prompting the NIA to launch a nationwide investigation into his connections. The NIA has also raised concerns about potential links between the arrested suspects and sympathizers of the LTTE who may be associated with the drug traffickers crossing borders.
These apprehended individuals had established residences in Chennai, Bengaluru, and Sri Lanka as part of their involvement in the illicit drug and arms trade. During the course of their interrogation, it came to light that the ISI organization is exploiting Tamil nationalism as a means to reactivate the LTTE and is striving to strengthen the organization’s presence in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.
The seven convicts recently released in the case of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi have garnered substantial support among LTTE sympathizers. The NIA is currently investigating any potential connections between the accused individuals and those who have been released.
It is noteworthy that DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin embraced Rajiv Gandhi assassination convict Perarivalan, known as Arivu, following his release by the Supreme Court, which cited delayed action on his mercy petition.
These developments in Tamil Nadu go beyond mere indications and strongly suggest a resurgence of the LTTE terrorist group. It is imperative that both the State and Central governments intensify their efforts to counteract the revival of this banned terror organization.
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