NEW DELHI, June 18: The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazagham (DMK) party today charged the Centre with having adopted a dual policy while dealing with LTTE. It said central agencies never drew the attention of the state government regarding any militant activities in the state before the assassination of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Submitting written arguments before the Jain Commission, probing the conspiracy behind Rajiv's killing, DMK counsel, Rakesh Sharma, said officials of intelligence bureau, Customs, Navy and Army never complained about any support and patronage the militants allegedly enjoyed in Tamil Nadu.

He submitted that these officials who participated in periodical meetings on law and order with Tamil Nadu chief secretary or home secretary between 1989 and 1991 did not draw the state government's attention to any of the alleged militant activities.

On the contrary, records show these officials ``praised and appreciated the steps taken by the state government,'' Sharma claimed.

Accusing the then Central Government of having adopted a `dual policy' with regard to Sri Lankan Tamil militants, he said a letter by the then governor's advisor dated May 20, 1988, complained about contradictory stand taken by Centre in dealing with LTTE. He alleged that 157 LTTE militants who had been detained under the National Security Act were released from prison on October 10, 1988 when Indian Peace Keeping Force was fighting in Sri Lanka and subsequently flown to Jaffna by Indian Air Force planes.

Sharma submitted that a conference and photo exhibition in support of LTTE which had been banned by the then DMK government on June 7, 1990 was allowed to be held during President's rule on April 20, 1991.

Referring to alleged intelligence bureau reports containing militant activities in Tamil Nadu during the DMK rule between 1989 and 1991, he claimed that these reports were false, baseless and fabricated to malign the DMK.

The DMK and its president M Karunanidhi were not shown copies of such reports, he said, adding there was no support or patronage given by DMK party to LTTE or any other group for militant activities.

Refuting the allegation that LTTE was allowed to have a network or base in Tamil Nadu, he said Rajiv Gandhi had visited the state 13 times during the DMK rule and proper security was provided to him.

The fact that Sivarasan and his men were finally found in Karnataka shows that LTTE had no network, base or a safe place for hiding in Tamil Nadu, Sharma submitted. He also urged the Commission to probe the allegation that the assassins of Rajiv Gandhi were given places to stay and hide before and after the killing by Congressmen.

He said DMK chief Karunanidhi and Chief Minister has stated before the Commission that he had always sailed along with the Centre considering the national interest.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.