There is no guarantee that 12 individuals detained over suspected links to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) will be allowed home in time for the Deepavali celebrations this weekend, according to inspector-general of police Abdul Hamid Bador.

Abdul Hamid told reporters last night that a move to release them from detention under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) will depend on the outcome of ongoing police investigations, as well as a decision by the Attorney-General's Chambers on whether to press charges or otherwise.