Jaffna, East undergrads condemn arrest of LTTE official

[TamilNet, Thursday, 12 June 2003, 01:57 GMT]
Undergraduates of University of Jaffna expressed their support to the protest fast being carried out by the fellow students of the Eastern University campus condemning the arrest of the Pulliyanthivu, Batticaloa district, head of the political wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam Sathiyaraj by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA), student union sources said.

A memorandum issued by the Jaffna Undergrads said, "In the currently prevailing climate of peace the security forces appear to be attempting to harrass and to create fear amongst people. Public is concerned whether by disturbing the prevailing normalcy the security forces are trying to create an environment conducive to breaking out of hostilities.

"The SLA has violated the Memorandum of Understanding by arresting an LTTE member who was engaged in political work. Even after several appeals the SLA has refused to release Sathiyaraj.

"We are extending our full co-operation and moral support to our friend in Eastern University and condemn the armed forces arresting unarmed civilian workers.

"We again demand that Sathiyaraj be released and appeal to the SLA to respect students' non-violent protests asking the security forces to desist from arresting unarmed civilians and members of the LTTE," the memorandum further said.