'Extremism encouraged in TN'

By G. Satyamurty

COIMBATORE, MAY 6. The Karnataka Chief Minister, Mr. S. M. Krishna, today alleged that ``extremists were perceived to have been encouraged'' in Tamil Nadu during the last five years.

Addressing a press conference here, he asserted that such ``extremist elements have got to be checkmated'' and ``Tamil Nadu should be brought into the mainstream of Indian ethos''.

He was confident that when the AIADMK took over the reins after a `decisive win' in the elections this week, ``there would be a reversal of this trend''.

He asserted that the nation was facing serious danger from two quarters - from fundamentalism and extremism - up in Kashmir to down south in Tamil Nadu. The Congress had all along been waging a war against fundamentalists and it was determined to put up a `relentless' fight against extremists of all hues.

However, asked whether there was any specific instance of extremism being encouraged in Tamil Nadu, Mr. Krishna attributed this to a `general perception'. All that he would reiterate was that the ``extremists had a field day in the State and that impression ought to have been erased''.

Besides, ``concrete instances cannot be opened up for public at the time of elections''. He said he was referring to the ``extremist forces'' operating on the fringes of Tamil Nadu''.

Mr. Krishna skirted the question whether he was referring to the LTTE as extremists in Tamil Nadu. Neither would he answer any question on his party aligning with the PMK which it had all along been charging with supporting the LTTE.

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