CHENNAI, 23 July 2004 — Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha has condemned as “very dangerous” the decision of the neighboring state of Andhra Pradesh to allow the ban on the extremist organization Peoples War Group (PWG) lapse.
“I am unable to understand how a state government can take law and order so lightly. It is an act of great irresponsibility,” she said.
The PWG, which has been carrying on an armed struggle against the elected governments in Andhra Pradesh for a couple of decades, had been banned two years ago under the Prevention of Terrorists Act (POTA).
Under the act an organization can be banned and its activities declared illegal for one year. Andhra Pradesh government allowed the ban to lapse yesterday as a prelude to negotiations with the PWG.
“The Andhra Pradesh government is playing with the lives of the people,” Jayalalitha told a press conference here, pointing out that the PWG had not offered to lay down arms or cease hostilities against the state police and security forces.
