LONDON: The former head of LTTE International Secretariat Valummylum Manoharan known as Mano has been granted French nationality status.
His application for nationality was pending for many years due to his involvement with the LTTE.
Mano was involved with the LTTE since 1984 and was promoted as the head of Tamil Co-ordinating Committee (TCC) following withdrawal of Lawrence
Thilagar following the assassination of LTTE activist Nathan and Kajan in La Chappale in Paris in 1996.
Mano was under intense investigation by the French police and Interpol over his involvement in drug dealings for the LTTE. In the early days, he associated with the infamous drug dealer Narikunthu Kulumas to generate illegal income for the LTTE.
When Mano approached Kulumas for funds for the LTTE, Kulumas had suggested to him ways of making quick money. Mano without realising Kulumas was under surveillance fell foul to his quick buck venture.
When Kulumas was arrested in 1985, he confirmed to the police that he had dealings with the LTTE. At that time Paris head of LTTE was Suresh who later claimed asylum in Canada and came under intense media cover.
Suresh was operating under the name of David in Paris. When the French police raided the TCC office five persons were arrested including Mano but David escaped arrest when he produced documents to confirm he is Suresh and not David.
David escaped to Holland with the help of Nathan who was later killed in Le Chappale in July 1996 and from there, he migrated to Canada and claimed asylum under the name of Suresh. Police had ample evidence that Mano and David were dealing with Kulumas. They had recordings of telephone conversations these two had with Kulumas.
No comments:
Post a Comment