Military intimidation threatens Jaffna student rally

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 16 January 2001, 20:43 GMT]
"The attempts of the Sri Lankan government to suppress the peaceful 'Pongu Thamil' (Tamil Upsurge) rally in the University of Jaffna shows that the people of the north are living in the grip of military rule" Jaffna university students' union representatives said Tuesday.

Students and staff of the university put up red and yellow flags and a large float depicting Jaffna as an open prison on the campus grounds in preparation for the event tomorrow.

Students said that have not called on the people to join the rally because the army is expected to use violent means to oppose it tomorrow.

"We will go ahead and hold the rally even if we have to face violent intimidation" said a union leader. Students will stage a play depicting the condition of the people in Jaffna and teachers and other staff members will address the rally and march he added.

The Sri Lanka army warned the students of the university last week against holding the rally and threatened to take strong action against their political activities.