Thenmaradchi displaced sit-in-protest continues

[TamilNet, Saturday, 02 November 2002, 02:17 GMT]
Hundreds of displaced people Friday continued their sit-in-protest for the second day in front of the Chavakachcheri Divisional Secretariat demanding the immediate removal of the Sri Lanka Army located in more than fifty houses in Meesalai and Manthuvil in Thenmaradchchi area, sources said. The protest launched by the consortium of welfare organization forced closure of DS office on Friday.

Jaffna district Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarians Mr.M.K.Sivajilingam and Mr. G.G.Gajendrakumar visited the protestors and expressed their fullest support to the campaign.

Protestors informed the parliamentarians that their protest action would continue till the SLA camp is removed. Large number of students also joined the sit-in-protest, sources said.

Additional police officers were deployed Friday in the area on receipt of information that the people would block the vehicular movement on the Jaffna-Kandy road at Chavakacheri. Police personnel were seen directing traffic to facilitate smooth vehicular movement on the A 9 road, sources said.

Organizers of the protest campaign said their sit-in-protest would recommence on Tuesday, as Saturday and Sunday are weekend holidays and Monday, a public holiday for Deepavali festival.

Meanwhile Chavakachcheri Divisional Secretary Mr. K.Srinivasan informed the Jaffna Government and Area Commander of the Sri Lanka Army in Jaffna that due to the protest his office could not function on Thursday and Friday.

The protest by Thenmaradchchi displaced is to be discussed at the Jaffna District Co-ordinating Committee (DCC) scheduled to be held Saturday. Parliamentarians Sivajilingam and Gajendrakumar have asked the consortium of welfare organizations to send their representatives to the DCC meeting, sources said.

Related Articles:
31.10.02   Protesters demand removal of SLA camps