City police have denied permission for the pro-Eelam TESO meet, convened by the forum’s founder leader and DMK chief M. Karunanidhi here tomorrow.

Police have denied permission on various grounds but they cannot be divulged as the matter was sub-judice, Chennai Police Commissioner J.K. Tripathy told PTI today.

Sources said permission was denied on various grounds, including security implications as a large turnout was expected than the venue could accommodate or the organisers had mentioned.

The police decision came late last night hours after the Madras High Court, during the hearing of two PILs opposing the conference of the Tamil Eelam Supporters Organisation (TESO), directed the city police chief to pass a detailed order on the representation (seeking permission) submitted by the organisers and communicate the decision to them immediately.

TESO, a pro-Sri Lankan Tamils outfit floated by Karunanidhi in the late 80s, was recently revived by him and its first meet was scheduled to be held here tomorrow with several leaders besides some Sri Lankan Tamil leaders expected to participate in it.

Both the Central and Tamil Nadu governments had yesterday submitted in the court objections to certain aspects of the conference.

The Centre told the court that it would not allow the organisers, including DMK, to use the word ‘Eelam’ in the heading of the international conference, while the state government said it may deny permission for holding the event as the chosen venue was not big enough to accommodate the number of people expected to attend it.

State Advocate-General A. Navaneethakrishnan said police permission may be denied as the YMCA ground was located near a government hospital, attended by over 3,000 out-patients daily.

Besides, according to DMK party organ Murasoli, over one lakh people were expected to attend the meet with about 1,250 vehicles which may result in traffic diversions in that area, bringing life to a standstill in the city.

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