LTTE condoles Muthukumaran's death

The LTTE condoled the death of K Muthukumaran on Friday, a local youth who committed suicide here highlighting the cause of Sri Lankan Tamils, and said he will have a "permanent and special place" in the history of the race.

"The LTTE salutes the sacrifice of Muthukumaran, who carried the emotional message of the 70 million Tamil Nadu people against the genocidal war by the Sinhala chauvinism in Tamil Eelam," head of LTTE political wing B Nadesan said in a message.

The message was also read out by MDMK leader Vaiko on the public announcement system when he visited Muthukumaran's residence at Kolathur here where his body has been kept for public homage.

Muthukumaran, an employee of the PMK-run 'Pennae Nee' magazine, had set himself ablaze here on Thursday "to express solidarity with the Sri Lankan Tamils".

Besides MDMK, a large number of sympathisers and activists of pro-LTTE parties such as Viduthalai Chiruthagal Katchi and PMK had gathered near his residence to pay homage. Nadesan said the LTTE gives Muthukumaran a "royal salute".

On the other hand, Vaiko criticised the Centre of aiding the Sri Lankan government in its war against the LTTE.