Tamil Nadu (Islamist/Other Conflicts): Timeline (Terrorist Activities) -2003

Media reports on January 16 said, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalita has declared the entire State as "notified area" under section 4 (possession of certain unauthorized arms) of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA). According to the Act, anyone found in possession of illegal arms and ammunition in any part of the State would be arrested under POTA, even if they had been arrested under the Arms Act or Explosive Substances Act, sources said. A s a result of the latest announcement, cadre of the Muslim Defence Force (MDF), an Islamist extremist organization, and some associates of forest brigand Veerapan, who were recently arrested and found to be in possession of arms and ammunition, face the prospect of being charged under POTA, reports added. Read less...

According to media reports, on January 24 a Special Court in Chennai convicted the banned Al-Umma, an Islamist fundamentalist organization, chief S A Basha for disturbing normal life in Chennai through acts of terrorism and planning to blow up important buildings in 1998. Basha is also the prime accused in the 1998-Coimbatore serial bomb blast case. The Court also convicted 22 others, including two women- Arifa Begum and Ayesha alias Sangeetha, in the case relating to the seizure of arms and explosives from various parts in Chennai in 1998, after the Coimbatore blasts, sources said. The Judge has fixed January 27 for awarding sentences to the convicted persons, after hearing representations from them. Except for Basha, the other accused are charged with criminal conspiracy, violating the Explosives Substances Act (ESA) and Criminal Law (Amendment) Act by supporting the Al-Umma, causing riot with deadly weapons and preventing officers from performing their duty. Basha had been arrested in Chennai on the day of the Coimbatore blasts and the others some time later. Read less...

According to media reports, on January 27 a Special Court in Poonamallee, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, sentenced to four years' rigorous imprisonment (RI) banned Al-Umma chief S A Basha, in the case relating to the seizure in March 1998, in Chennai, of a large quantity of explosives. The Special Judge also awarded four years' RI and three months simple imprisonment to 12 other accused in the case, including Usman Ali and his wife Ayesha, alias Sangeetha. 10 more accused were sentenced to a three-month simple imprisonment term. The court acquitted one of the 24 accused. Read less...

According to media reports, Tamil National Movement (TNM) leader P Nedumaran was acquitted by a Court in Tiruchendur, in Tuticorin District, Tamil Nadu, on January 27, in a case relating to his alleged pro-Liberation of Tamil Tigers Elam (LTTE)" remarks during a meeting in the town on June 26, 1992. The Court ruled police failed to prove the charge as they did not produce documents and enough evidence. Nedumaran is facing two other similar cases, including one under Prevention of Terrorism Act (OPTA), for allegedly making pro- LTTE speeches at different places in the State. Read less...