SLA troops threaten students at Annai Poopathy celebrations

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 22 March 2006, 12:16 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops threatened students at the Jaffna Technical College where celebrations marking Annai Poopathi's anniversary are taking place. More than 300 SLA soldiers who arrived at the Technical College premises at 3 p.m. Wednesday demanded taking down of the Tamileelam National flag which the students hoisted in the morning as part of the celebrations, sources said. Tension prevailed for more than an hour while the students refused to comply with the SLA demands.

Students took the flag at the usual time of 4 p.m. and said that they will be observing the same procedure Thursday and following days until the end of the celebration period.

Students Association of Higher Education in Jaffna district accused Northern Region Sri Lanka Military Commander, Maj. Gen. Chandrasiri, of trying to suppress Jaffna students using the armed might of the Sri Lanka Army. Students further said that they will continue to honor the Tamileelam National Flag during the Annai Poopathi celebrations and the Maj.Gen.Chandrasiri has to declare war on Jaffna district Tamils if he intends to suppress the students of the Technical College, the memorandum issued by the Students Association said.

Annai Poopathi celebrations are expected to last for four weeks, according to Jaffna students.