Jaffna pays last respects to Uthayan victims

[TamilNet, Thursday, 04 May 2006, 10:52 GMT]
Normal activities in Jaffna peninsula came to a halt Thursday, as Jaffna residents participated in the protest hartal organised by the Jaffna University Student Union (JUSU), condemning Uthayan killings and the escalating killings of civilians by the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) and its paramilitaries in the Jaffna peninsula, said student organisers.

The remains of the two Uthayan staff were kept for paying last respects at the Uthayan office from 9.30 a.m to 11.30 a.m. Thursday, where people, members, representatives of various non-government organisations and other institutions paid their last respects to the deceased, said witnesses.

All government and private institutions including banks, schools and shops remained closed in the entire peninsula except a few pharmacies and food shops.

Large number of Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troopers, riding motor bikes, patrolled the streets, residents said.

In Jaffna town, residents and shoppers kept off the streets in fear of the large number of armed forces present, and the hartal was a complete success, said spokesperson for the JUSU. “Jaffna residents are infuriated by the acts of violence unleashed in the peninsula by the GoSL and the paramilitary groups,” he added.