ABROAD Is SAFE : TASLIMA

Controversial Bangladesh author Taslima Nasreen today (March 19) left India for an unknown destination and has reached London, as she voiced her bitterness against the Indian government accusing it of being no better than "religious fundamentalists."

Talking to a news agency at the London's Heathrow Airport before taking a connecting flight after she left New Delhi this morning on a British Airways flight, the 46-year-old author refused to disclose where she was heading saying she did not want to "compromise" on her security.

Taslima is understood to heading towards Toronto in Canada. "If I disclose my destination my security will be compromised. My face has now become recognisable and I could be target of religious fundamentalists," she said.

Taslima, whose India visa was extended for further six months last month, alleged her human rights was infringed in the last four months when she was brought to Delhi after being hounded out from Kolkata.

Taslima said she will not hesitate to discuss what she said the traumatic experience she allegedly went through during various international seminars lined up in Europe in the next few months.

"I was put under tremendous stress but I could not speak out as I was under their(government) surveillance and could be harassed by them," she said in a choked voice from the British Capital. "The government(Indian) is no better than religious fundamentalists," she said.

Nasreen said she used to call the Government safe-house in Delhi where she was put up as the "torture chamber".

"I gradually came to realise that it was the chamber of death instead," Taslima said, adding she was forced to leave India because of "extreme stress" that she went through the last four months.

MK.Narayanan : Monitoring LTTE LINKS

National Security Advisior MK Narayanan has once again reiterated his belief, that Kerala and Tamil Nadu have pockets of people, who are lending help to the LTTE.

The statement comes just days after the 'Q' branch of the Tamil Nadu police siezed two boats that were being manufactured in Kerala for the LTTE. The police had siezed the boats being built at Munambam in Ernakulam district following leads, that they got from two LTTE cadre arrested in Thirichirapally in Tamil Nadu.

As National Security Advisor MK Narayanan quotes, "We have come to know that in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, in some pockets there are people, who are supporting the LTTE. The Central Intelligence Agencies are closely monitoring this situation."

The Director General of Police stated, "Sixty checkposts have been set up along the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu as part of enhanced security measures to prevent infiltration of extremist forces and LTTE activists."

In an informal chat with the media, the DGP claimed that specially trained police personnel, were maintaining a strict vigil all over Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

The DGP also added that there were no Naxalite activities in the state, as the department has succeeded in preventing their activities in the initial stage itself. The DGP commented on the issue after inaugurating the housing quarters for the Tamil Nadu Special Police 4th Battalion at Kovaipudur.

TIBET UNREST

Unconfirmed sources claim that at least 100 people have been killed in Tibet where the situation continues to spiral out of control after the Chinese crackdown on Tibetan protestors on the 49th anniversary of their uprising against Chinese rule.

What Beijing does next is being watched closely by the international community particularly since the Olympics are around the corner.

Lhasa's still burning despite the curfew imposed by the Chinese government after Friday's crackdown by the Chinese police on Tibetans demanding that the Beijing Olympic Games be cancelled.

The protests were also timed to mark the 49th anniversary of their uprising against Chinese rule.

The Tibetan government in exile claims at least 100 people could have died so far but the figure is impossible to verify.

China's violent reaction to what began as peaceful protests has evoked global condemnation.

''We have urged also that the Chinese government respect Tibetan culture, as well as the multiethnic nature of China. It is very important in our view, and President Bush has expressed this view, that Chinese government open a dialogue with the Dalai Lama, and we continue to urge that. Nobody benefits from violence. Nobody wants to see it. But it is very important that, in responding to these protests, that the Chinese government turn away from the use of force or violence in responding to the protests,'' said Sean McCormack, State Department Secretary.


The Chinese government does not want to appear weak by not reacting to the protests. Beijing has now given the Tibetan protesters till Monday to surrender.

''Fighting, looting, burning - these actions destroy the stability of society. These events can be described as an organised and planned plot. We are very determined to denounce this separatist activity, and the plot will not be successful,'' said Champa Phuntsok, Chairman, Tibetan Government.

Now China is worried that its plan to carry the Olympic torch over Mt Everest and into Tibet may be affected by the protests. This may draw the world's attention to Tibet and away from the Olympic games.

But after the crackdown, the worst in the last two decades, avoiding bad press may be difficult.