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NT Bureau
Chennai, Apr 10:

        Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today said the government was ready to widen the terms of reference in the Chendur probe.

        Replying to Deputy Leader of the Opposition O Paneerselvam in the State Assembly today Karunanidhi said the government was not averse to the idea of widening the terms of reference in the Chendur inquiry that is to be conducted by the senior government official M F Farooqui. 'We are ready to ask the official to go into the aspects wanted by the opposition,' he said. If the AIADMK leader gave details of aspects that need to be investigated it would be done, he said.

        Earlier in the day, referring to the announcement of one man probe of Chendur, Paneerselvam said an important aspect was not included in the terms of reference.

        'The nature and key content of the explosive should be investigated,' the AIADMK leader said. The Chief Minister in his reply agreed to the AIADMK plea and added that the government did not hide anything and warned that stringent action would be taken against people who indulged and supported terrorism. 'The offender may belong to any political party, they wont be spared,' Karunanidhi said and referred the recent news stories about such arrests.

        In reply to Amaramurthy's (Congress) observation that Police officials were not allowing traditional racing events like Manju Virattu and other cultural programmes during temple festivals, Karunanidhi said the government would not disallow such local customs.

        'However, it is very essential to conduct such events with utmost preparation and caution,' he said and stressed that the news of casualities during festivities was painful.

        While it is necessary to honour and allow local practices it was also important to be prudent and save innocent lives, the Chief Minister said.