Batticaloa journalists protest against attack on Thinakathir

[TamilNet, Friday, 09 August 2002, 08:50 GMT]
Journalists in Batticaloa friday afternoon staged a half an hour picketing blocking the traffic across the main road in front of the newspaper office. The picketing was organised by the East Lanka Journalists Association, condemning the attack on Thinakathir newspaper office thursday night.

Ceylon Tamil Teachers Union and Kattankudy Peoples Organisation also participated in the sit-in-protest.

Heated argument ensued between the demonstrators and the Police when the latter attempted to disperse the crowd sitting across the road.

The Police insisted that the demonstrators should not block the traffic. However, the President and Secretary of the East Lanka Journalists Association Messrs R.Thurairatnam and Shan Thavarajah agreed to call off the sit in protest after half an hour. The Police allowed the sit in protest thereafter.

Demonstrators were seen holding several placards condemning the attack.