Police issues threat against planned protest

[TamilNet, Saturday, 13 January 2001, 14:50 GMT]
"If the demonstration by students of Jaffna University takes place on the 17th of January as planned, the protesters will face dire consequences," warned the Chief Inspector of Police, Jaffna district, in a special meeting held this morning for Nallur and Jaffna Pradeshya Sabha officials at Jaffna police station, sources in Jaffna said.

"University students are inciting widespread disturbances with their actions. There is no need for such political agitations and we are not going to allow this to happen.

"If protest still takes place, we may have to resort to use of force such as baton charges, use tear gas and even use firearms with live ammunition to prevent the demonstration. Therefore we urge you to notify the public and the school students not to participate in the protest," the Police Chief further warned.

Meanwhile, several Jaffna based organisations including Union of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Hindu Priests Association, Jaffna Branch of the Medical Doctors Union and students of Jaffna Techical College, have expressed their support for the protest.

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