2nd lead

Protest against VVT murders shuts down Jaffna

[TamilNet, Saturday, 20 November 2004, 06:11 GMT]
Shops were closed and roads were mostly deserted in Jaffna Saturday in protest against the killing of two youth who were playing football in Valvettithurai Friday evening. Protestors burnt tires and blocked roads in several parts of the peninsula. Some clashed with troops and Police. A man identified as Mr. Manikkam Sundaram, 38, was wounded when Police and military opened fire on the protestors.




Relatives of the dead youth blamed elements linked to the Sri Lanka army for the murder. SLA officers in Jaffna, however, denied the charge.

Transport on the Kandy Road A9, the main artery of the peninsula, was completely blocked by protestors in Meesalai, sources said.

All shops closed in Chunnakam town	Tires burnt to block the traffic at Marutharmadam junction