Massive protests in Tamil Nadu

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 07 October 1998, 12:29 GMT]
Over 2000 demonstrators were arrested this morning by Police in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, during widespread demonstrations protesting against the killings by Sri Lankan troops of over 400 Tamils whose bodies are said to have been buried in mass graves in Chemmani on the Jaffna peninsula.

The demonstrators were arrested following the burning of an effigy of the Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunge in several districts, said sources in India.

A press release issued by the organisers of the demonstrations said that leaders and members of over 50 parties and organisations took part in the demonstration.

Demonstrations were held in Madurai, Chennai, Trichi, Thanjavoor, Viluppuram, Veloor, Eerode, Pattukkoddai, Theni, Nellai, Thuthukuddy, Puthukkodday and Thiruthuraipoondi the statement further said.

Tamil Nadu's 60 million Tamils have close cultural ties with Sri Lanka's Tamils, and local observers say there has been a recent resurgence in sympathy for the Liberation Tigers' campaign for Tamil self rule in the north and east of the island.