2ND LEAD

Protestors attack SL High Commission in New Delhi

[TamilNet, Friday, 02 October 2009, 12:28 GMT]
A group of Indian protesters, who were demonstrating against the Sri Lankan state Friday evening, attacked the Sri Lankan High Commission in New Delhi. The protesters were slanting slogans against the Rajapaksa government on Mahatma Gandhi's birthday. Indian Police said around 20 protesters broke through the barrier and caused damage to some property inside the high commission. Meanwhile, activists in Tamil Nadu staged widespread protests against the Sri Lankan government and the Indian government, which they alleged abetting the genocide in Sri Lanka.

22 activists of Hindu Makka'l Kadchi (HMK) were arrested in Coimbatore when they protested against the Union Home Minister P Chidambaram.

A news report by the Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) on the attack on the Sri Lankan High Commission quoted the Additional Commissioner of Police in New Delhi, S. Dass, as saying that "it all happened in two minutes. Before the police could swing into action, they had fled. No one could be arrested.”

The External Affairs Ministry of India released a statement following the attack:

Incident at the premises of the Sri Lanka High Commission
02/10/2009  

A group of about 40 individuals entered the premises of the Sri Lankan High Commission today in New Delhi around 1430 hrs and damaged some property.

We deeply regret this unfortunate incident, which has involved an act of violence against a diplomatic Mission.

The law enforcement agencies have swung into action. Security around the High Commission premises has been strengthened.

Action as prescribed by the law will be taken against the perpetrators of this incident.

New Delhi
October 02, 2009