Photo update

Tensions over Heroes’ Day continue in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Sunday, 23 November 2003, 12:08 GMT]
Tension between civilians and Sri Lanka army troops over arches and decoration for the Great Heroes’ Day continued in Jaffna Sunday. SLA pulled down a hardboard arch that local residents constructed at the Windsor Theatre Junction in Jaffna town Sunday morning. A large crowd of people gathered there in the afternoon and put up the arch again amidst objections and protests by the military. More troops were deployed in the area following altercations between the SLA and townspeople at Windsor Junction.


Heavily armed SLA troops amidst the crowd arguing with the military at Windsor Junction

No arches, festoons or decorations were found in Jaffna town Sunday except at the hardboard arch at Windsor Theatre Junction.

Meanwhile, Jaffna University students are putting the arch knocked down by Sri Lanka army truck last night at Parameswara Junction, TamilNet correspondents reported.

A student from the medical college of the Jaffna University was taken away by the Police and was severely assaulted in custody, students said.

The boy has been released now, according to them.

Elsewhere in the northern town, students were gathered at Jaffna Hindu college entrance vowing to prevent the SLA from removing the arch they have constructed there for the Great Heroes Day. The Sri Lankan military ordered them to remove the arch on Saturday.


The Heroes' Day arch at Jaffna Hindu College

Univesity students putting up the arch at Parameswara Junction which was knocked by SLA Saturday night	A Heroes' Day arch and festoons in Nelliyadi town in Jaffna Sunday
A group of SLA troops telling crowds at Windsor Junction to disperse	Troops in Jaffna town Sunday
Heroes' Day festoons and banner in the coastal village of Inparutty near Pt. Pedro town in Jaffna Sunday	The crowd arguing with SLA soldiers at Windsor Junction in Jaffna town Sunday

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