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LTTE targets presidential election, warns voters

With the presidential election is just two weeks away, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam has announced a number of don'ts to the people of in the north, raising fears that the militant outfit might be preparing for a fresh assault.

A series of military debacle in the northern Wanni in early November, just after the announcement of the presidential election, had raised doubts over postponement of elections due on December 21. Now, after a lull of two weeks, the LTTE through its clandestine 'Voice of Tigers' radio has announced that people should keep away from military camps and other security holds. They have also warned the civilians not to undertake any journey by flights to Jaffna which are under government control as the flights might be targetted. The LTTE has also warned NGOs to avoid Jaffna flights.

Meanwhile, deputy minister of posts and telecommunications and Sri Lankan Muslim Congress leader is reported to have been threatened by the LTTE not to campaign in the eastern district.

The Eelam People's Democratic Party, a major Tamil party in Parliament has taken charge as organiser of the presidential election campaign in the north for the ruling People's Alliance candidate Chandrika Kumaratunga. The PA is the only party which has appointed an organiser to the north-east so far. EPDP secretary-general Douglas Devananda, Jaffna district MP said his party was asking the Tamil people, especially in the north-east, to vote for Chandrika.

''If we have to do something we have to do it properly. In the south she will have plenty of people to organise her election campaigns. It is in the north the choice is very limited. Therefore, it should be either EPDP or LTTE,'' he said. When it was pointed out that the LTTE leadership had given a totally opposite directive to all the Tamil people, he said, ''We support Chandrika on the basis of the assurances that she has given to the EPDP.''

In a significant development, the Supreme Court has granted leave to proceed with the fundamental rights violation pleas filed by two petitioner against the recent censorhip imposed on the publication of military news by local newspapers and other media institutions. The petitioner are editor of Inform, a weekly tabloid, Victor Ivan and Sunila Abeysekera, its executive director. The case will come up on February 25 next.

UNI

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