Majority in TN supports LTTE’

N Ravikumar

Chennai, Aug. 11: Majority of the people in Tamil Nadu are supporting the LTTE, despite accepting that the organisation was behind the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, according to a survey conducted by a leading Tamil weekly here.

The shocking results of the survey published in this week's Ananda Vikadan, which tops the circulation among weeklies in Tamil Nadu said that 54.25 per cent of the respondents said that they have always supported the Tigers and their goal of a separate Tamil homeland in Sri Lanka.

Although it is known that support for the Tigers is rising in Tamil Nadu, as seen from the large attendance of people, especially youths in meetings addressed by pro-Tiger leaders like Mr Vaiko, the amount of support for the banned outfit, revealed in a survey conducted by a media group, which is considered respected for its neutrality is quiet stunning. The fact that the magazine chose to publish the results showing support for a banned organisation is itself surprising.

To a question on continuing the ban on the LTTE, 47.65 per cent respondents wanted the ban to be lifted, while 27.43 were for continuing it. The rest of the respondents said that the Centre should wait for some time before thinking of lifting the ban.

Interestingly, 83 per cent of the respondents held LTTE chief Mr Velupillai Prabhakaran responsible for the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. However, about 50 per cent of those convinced of LTTE's hand in the brutal assassination, felt that Mr Prabhakaran should be condoned, the survey claimed.

To a query on the growth of LTTE as an organisation with air capabilities, 46.24 per cent of the people felt that it was a matter of pride for Tamils, while 18.59 per cent said that it was dangerous for India's security. The rest did not have any opinion.

Only 17.4 per cent of those surveyed said they were always opposed to the organisation. The survey also revealed that the Tigers had lost some of their support in Tamil Nadu after the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, as 28.34 per cent of the respondents said that they were supporting the Tigers till that time.

While 55.44 per cent favoured a separate Tamil homeland for Sri Lankan Tamils as the only solution for the conflict in the island, 34.63 per cent of respondents said that an autonomous state for Tamils within a federal structure would solve the problem.

Only 13.61 per cent of the respondents said that the pro-LTTE stand of leaders like Mr Vaiko and Mr Nedumaran was dangerous, while 49.36 per cent of them felt that it was correct. About the DMK's stand on the Sri Lankan issue, 47.48 per cent said the ruling party should support the Tigers without worrying about losing its government, while 22.71 of the people said that the DMK should oppose the Tigers.

Opinion was divided on LTTE's killing of members of rival Tamil outfits, as 43.14 per cent said it could not be accepted, while 25.95 per cent of them said it was inevitable. The rest said they could not comment since they did not know the ground realities that led to the killings. Most of the respondents, 62.59 per cent, favoured India's intervention in the conflict. An overwhelming majority of 79.28 per cent favoured release of Nalini, convicted in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

The survey taken at a time when resentment against the Sri Lankan government was high due to the killing of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan navy, found that a large number of people, 65.76 per cent, supported the retrieval of Katchatheevu island, ceded to Sri Lanka, and 29.65 per cent said the Indian navy should attack the Sri Lankan navy if Tamil Nadu fishermen were fired at. On the fishermen issue, 34.89 per cent of people favoured a dialogue with the Sri Lankan government, while 35.44 per cent said that India should raise the issue at the international forum.

The weekly said that it approached 4195 people, selecting them from various areas and sections and asserted that it is a true reflection of the people's mood in Tamil Nadu about issues concerning the Sri Lankan Tamils.

http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?...1&id=217966

An overwhelming majority of 79.28 per cent favoured release of Nalini, convicted in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

நியாயமான மக்களின் தீர்ப்பு. நீதிபதி கொடுத்த காலத்துக்கு மேலாக நளினி அவர்கள் சிறை தண்டனை அனுபவித்து கொண்டிருக்கிறார். அவரது மேன்முறையீட்டை இன்று கூட பிறிதொரு திகதிக்கு பின்போட்டுள்ளார்கள்.

The shocking results of the survey published in this week's Ananda Vikadan, which tops the circulation among weeklies in Tamil Nadu said that 54.25 per cent of the respondents said that they have always supported the Tigers and their goal of a separate Tamil homeland in Sri Lanka.

இதை தான் சொல்வது தொப்பிள் கொடி உறவு என்று.