Eastern Muslims observe hartal, remember dead

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 12 August 2003, 13:45 GMT]
Muslim communities in Kattankudy, Eravur, Oddamavadi and some parts of Valaichchenai in the Batticaloa district Tuesday observed a general shut down (hartal) in remembrance of Muslims killed thirteen years ago on August 12, 1990 at Meerakerni in Eravur, about 15 km north of Batticaloa town, at the request of the Mosques’ Federation, police sources said.

Shops and schools were closed down in Muslim areas. Low attendance in government offices was recorded. Local bus services were disrupted but long distance buses ran as usual. Roads were deserted in Muslim areas due to the hartal, police said.

In Valaichchenai, though Muslims areas observed a general shut down, normal life of the Tamil areas was not disrupted. Special prayers were held in mosques in the district, and police and security forces intensified their patrolling, police sources said.

In Batticaloa town too, while Muslim shops were closed and white flags were seen in Muslim areas, government offices and schools functioned and Tamil shops opened as usual, police said.

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