Udhagamandalam, Oct 27 (The Hindu): MDMK general secretary Vaiko is confident that he can get the ban on the LTTE lifted.

He was talking to journalists after the opening session of a sitting of the Justice G.P. Mittal-led Special Tribunal constituted by the Delhi High Court under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act to look into the ban.

Mr. Vaiko said the NDA government was keeping the ban wrongly imposed by the UPA government. The arguments for retaining it were not convincing, especially when the Court of European Union struck down sanctions imposed on the outfit by the European Union.

Asked about the reception planned by the Centre for the Sri Lankan Naval Chief, Jayantha Perera, he said it was an “unforgivable” act on the part of the NDA government.

Earlier, deposing before the tribunal, Rajaram, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Q Branch, Madurai, said the probe into the recovery of pipe-bombs and pamphlets supporting LTTE cause in Madurai led to the arrest of six persons owing allegiance to the Tamil Nadu Liberation Army (TNLA). If the ban was lifted, he argued, the activities of such elements would increase.

Mr. Vaiko will present his case on Monday.