The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday declared that expression of support to banned organisations like the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in any form will be an offence under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and warned of action against those who violated the law.

Announcing this in the assembly, Public Works and Law Minister Duraimurugan said after a detailed discussion at a high-level meeting, chaired by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, it was decided to invoke the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967) against those who express support to the banned outfits.

A day after announcing in the assembly that the government was open for enacting a special legislation to curb the expression of support to banned outfits, the chief minister discussed the issue with senior civil, police officials and advocate general and decided to invoke the above existing law, he said.

Finance Minister K Anbazhagan, Chief Secretary L K Tirupaty, Advocate General Masilamani, Home Secretary, Law Secretary, Director General of Police, Additional DGP (Intelligence) took part in the discussion, Duraimurugan said.

Under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, it would be an offence to offer support to any banned outfit by organising campaign meetings, distributing pamphlets, pasting wall posters, holding demonstrations, taking out rallies and observing fast, he said.

Those who violated the law, whether they were individuals or functioning under the banner of an association or organisation should take the government's announcement as a warning and desist from expressing support to banned outfits, Duraimurugan said.

''Those who violate the law will be subjected to penal action under the law'', he warned.