By LR Jagadheesan BBC News, Chennai

	Political parties warned not to help LTTE in supplying arms

"Strict instructions had been issued not to show any lenience to those who are in nexus with the LTTE and try to supply arms to them", M Karunanidhi said.

The LTTE is a banned terrorist organisation in India.

A strict vigil was being maintained against those who were attempting to supply arms to the LTTE and some had been arrested.

Boats carrying arms and ammunition were being seized and the cargo destroyed. Traditionally, Karunanidhi's party DMK is seen as sympathetic towards Sri Lankan Tamil's struggle.

But he clarified that his party's sympathy for Sri Lankan Tamils should not be seen as an approval to smuggle arms to the LTTE.

"There is a difference between political parties' appeal to the Centre on saving the lives of innocent Tamils in Sri Lanka being killed by the Sri Lankan army and making the state a distribution point for arms and ammunition to the LTTE", Karunanidhi said.

There is a difference between political parties' appeal to the Centre on saving the lives of innocent Tamils in Sri Lanka being killed by the Sri Lankan army and making the state a distribution point for arms and ammunition to the LTTE Karunanidhi

He added that nobody should think that the Tamil Nadu government's appeal to the Centre on taking steps for peace in Sri Lanka is a sanction to indulge in acts like arms smuggling.

"None can even dream that the state (Tamil Nadu government) will intervene in the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, ignoring the steps taken by the Centre in the interests of the country and its security".

Arms shipments seized

In recent times, Indian security agencies have seized huge cache of arms, ammunition and bomb making components on the sea between Tamil Nadu (India) and Sri Lanka.

Indian security officials suspect these were meant for the LTTE, which is engaged in an armed struggle against Sri Lankan army demanding a separate Tamil state.

	Indian coast guards seized huge cache of arms and ammunitions

Traditionally, Tamil parties in Tamil Nadu were seen to be sympathetic towards Sri Lankan Tamils cause.

Military wise, Tamil Tigers allegedly use Tamil Nadu as one of their main supply routes not only for arms and ammunition, but also for food and other essential items like fuel and medicine.

Following the assassination of India's former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi by a suspected LTTE suicide bomber in 1991, the LTTE lost its political clout and public sympathy in Tamil Nadu.

Since then, the LTTE is trying hard to regain public support and political patronage in Tamil Nadu.