Tamil Nadu facing threat from extremists who have infiltrated, Says Pon Radhakrishnan

Chennai: BJP senior and Union minister of state for finance and shipping Pon Radhakrishnan has claimed that Tamil Nadu is facing “grave threat” from extremists who have infiltrated various organisations, including the media, and has demanded the state government to act quickly and tough on the extremists. “Naxalites, Maoists, Muslim extremists and extremist groups who promote secessionism in the name of Tamil have infiltrated many organisations.

There is a chance that they could have infiltrated the media too. So, the people of the state will face a grave threat, if Tamil Nadu government doesn't act quickly,” Mr Radhakrishnan said. Speaking to reporters at the airport here on Wednesday he said the people of TN would be in peril if the government does not act tough on those elements.

Alleging that the extremists were being trained at remote hill areas, the Minister said the vernacular newspapers have exposed their presence. He urged the Chief Minister to use all his powers to control the extremists. “If (he) can't do, there is no point in ruling,” he said.

Since the last one-and-a-half years he has been warning of the presence of extremists in TN but neither the state government nor the police or intelligence wing took it seriously. The extremists had carried out a 'experiment' during the massive pro-jallikattu protests here last
year.

“Should not the government give a free hand to the police to act tough on the extremists? Government should protect the people of the state and not the extremists. Such a government is not required,” he said. On the protests against Chennai-Salem green expressway, Mr Radhakrishnan said it should be ascertained if they were mere protests or being held with ulterior motive.