Trincomalee to observe general shut down

[TamilNet, Sunday, 28 November 2004, 12:13 GMT]
Tamil Peoples Forum of Trincomalee District Sunday issued an appeal to the Tamils in the east port town to observe a one-day general shut down Monday condemning violent attacks on innocent Tamil civilians during the Maveerar Week celebrations in the Tamil districts of northeast province by members of State armed forces and chauvinist elements, sources said.

In an appeal released Sunday, Tamil Peoples Forum of Trincomalee District said during the Maveerar Week celebrations two innocent Tamil civilians were shot dead by the armed forces in Valvettithurai in Jaffna district. Members of State armed forces assaulted Tamil civilians and a Tamil National Alliance parliamentarian Mr.S.Vino Noharathalingam. These incidents had taken place in Vavuniya and Mannar.

In Trincomalee town activists of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) burnt down photographs of LTTE martyrs, and LTTE flags which were displayed to mark the Maveerar Day celebrations, the statement further said.

The statement appealed to the parties concerned to extend their support to the general shut down by closing down government offices, schools, non-governmental organizations, theatres and private education centres.

The statement further requested the authorities concerned to bring the transport in the town to a halt by stopping bus and other transport services to and from Trincomalee.