Muted response to Amparai hartal call

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 22 February 2006, 10:38 GMT]
The general shut down call issued by an organization named as the Consortium of Southeast Muslims' Association on Wednesday in the Muslim areas in the Amparai district failed to receive enough response from the Muslim people, Muslim sources in Amparai district said.

Only in some parts of Maruthamunai village shops were closed and the normal life was disrupted.

Elsewhere in the Muslim areas, including Ninthavur and Kalmunai shops remained open, schools functioned and normal life was not disrupted, Muslim sources said.

Large number of Special Task Force (STF) personnel and police were deployed along main roads in Muslim towns and villages following the hartal call.

The general shut down call was made to condemn the government's failure to include a separate Muslim delegation to Geneva peace talks and for the inclusion of Ms Ferial Ashraff as the sole spokesperson on behalf of the Muslims in the government delegation and warning the elements that are sabotaging the unity of Muslims in achieving their rights, sources said.