Tense situation in Jaffna University between students and Security forces

A tense situation arose at the entrance of the University of Jaffna this evening when a group of black attire wearing students were stopped by the police from leaving the university premises. 

Students alleged that the police officers intimidated them by stopping at the entrance and asked unnecessary questions. Later, the Army personnel were also deployed around the university. An argument broke between students and Police officials. 

Earlier, attempts made by students to commemorate late  Rasanayaham Partheepan alias Thileepan, a LTTE cadre who passed away in 1987 following a fast-unto death campaign were prevented by police and University administration.

Students were allowed to leave the premises after the University administration intervened. 

Meanwhile the Point Pedro Magistrate Court issued a court order today against attempts by Tamil political parties and civil society groups to conduct a token fast in view of commemorating late Rasanayaham Partheepan alias Thileepan, a LTTE cadre who passed away in 1987 following a fast-unto death campaign.

A notice signed by Registrar of Point Pedro Magistrate Court said that Officer In Charge (OIC) of Valvettithurai Police station P.B. Herath came to know about plans by groups to organize the event and  Court was notified. 

The parties also, collectively wrote to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa last week urging him to allow the commemoration events stressing that Tamil speaking people have a right to mourn for their dead. The political parties also called for a hartal campaign across the North and Eastern provinces on next Monday (28).  Pix by N.Lohathayalan