Picketing in Tellipallai continues

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 07 January 2003, 12:11 GMT]
Several hundred people displaced from high security zone (HSZ) in Jaffna peninsula continued their fast and picketing third day Tuesday in front of the office of the additional government agent in Tellipalai. They launched this campaign Friday demanding that they should be allowed to resettle in their villages, which have been declared high security zone by the State armed forces, Valigamam Peoples Forum (VPF) sources said.

The picketers resolved to continue the protest and picketing on a rotating basis.

A team of police officials Tuesday morning went to the venue and asked the displaced picketers to abandon their campaign and to allow the office to function. The picketers told the Police that they will continue fasting and picketing until their demand is met.

The front gate of the AGA's office remained locked preventing employees from entering the office, sources said.

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Jaffna district parliamentarian Mr.N.Raviraj met the picketers and told them that he would bring this matter to the urgent notice of the Prime Minister

Two TNA Jaffna district parliamentarians Mr.A.Vinayagamoorthy and Mavai Senathirajah Monday met the picketers. The Police opened one gate of the Assistant Government Agent (AGA) office forcibly Monday and allowed the AGA, Ms P.Pathiniammal, to enter the office. However other employees refused to follow the AGA. Later the AGA closed the office and left, sources said.

More than twenty thousand families were displaced in 1990 from the north of the Jaffna district. Since then the SLA has been occupying these areas and civilian buildings, sources said.