Hartal observed in Trincomalee, Mannar

[TamilNet, Saturday, 04 February 2006, 11:56 GMT]
Tamil residents in the districts of Trincomalee and Mannar observed a general shut down on the Independence Day to protest against the harassment by the State armed forces. Towns of Trincomalee and Mannar came to a standstill as normalcy was disrupted due to the stoppage of state and private sector bus services, sources said.

Shops and markets were closed down in Trincomalee and Mannar. All roads were deserted.

Hartal was observed in Trincomalee in response to the call by the Trincomalee District Tamil Awakening Forum, Peoples Brigade and Trincomalee Tamil Students Forum. These groups in statements released stated that atrocities committed by the State armed forces on the Tamil people are on the increase, sources said.