Picketing against EPDP spreads to other areas in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Thursday, 05 December 2002, 20:06 GMT]
Hundreds of people Thursday picketed several offices and camps of the para military Eelam Peoples Democratic party (EPDP) in the Jaffna district in support of the protest by the Neduntheivu civilian families which entered twentieth day Thursday.

People in Neduntheivu have been picketing against the presence of EPDP members in their village and demanding their withdrawal immediately.

Several people surrounded the camps of the EPDP located at Manipay, Chankanai and Chunnakam in Valigamam east. EPDP camps at Velanaithurai, Kayts were also picketed by hundreds of people. Shops in these areas were closed.

Picketers said in some instances armed police personnel threatened them with guns when they were engaged in the protest.

Despite the continuing protests, EPDP local leaders said that they would not withdraw from Neduntheivu and other areas in the peninsula and that theywould engage themselves in political activities.