General shut down in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 25 June 2002, 10:22 GMT]
The eastern port town of Trincomalee ground to a halt Tuesday in response to the call by several Tamil organisations in the district for a general shut down to protest against the attacks on the political activists of the Liberation Tigers at Velanai in Jaffna district and the Mutur LTTE political office in Trincomalee district.

Schools, business establishments, government departments and banks were closed, roads were deserted and with a few vehicles and people out. Muslim and Sinhala schools and business establishments also were closed.

Tyres were burnt down in the town at important junctions. The police removed some of the burning tyres.

A large number of navy personnel were patrolling the Inner Harbour Road in the morning. Police personnel were posted near the Green Road in the town where the Trincomalee political office of the LTTE is located. Later the navy personnel were withdrawn. The police were also moved from some areas later.