200 university teachers and students were shot at as they were marching
Sri Lankan military fires on Jaffna university protest
By our Jaffna correspondents
21 December 2005
On two successive days this week, the Sri Lankan security forces have fired on and assaulted unarmed protesters from Jaffna University. These provocative actions have further inflamed an already tense situation in northern Sri Lanka and threaten to undermine the three-year ceasefire between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
On Monday, more than 200 university teachers and students were shot at as they were marching towards the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM), which oversees the ceasefire. The protestors wanted to present a letter requesting that the SLMM intervene to stop the military harassment of Tamils in the Jaffna area.
When the marchers reached the Parameswara junction, about 200 metres from the university, they were blocked by soldiers. When the university vice chancellor attempted to argue for their right to march, troops opened fire then rushed the crowd, beating staff and students with their rifle butts.
By our Jaffna correspondents
21 December 2005
On two successive days this week, the Sri Lankan security forces have fired on and assaulted unarmed protesters from Jaffna University. These provocative actions have further inflamed an already tense situation in northern Sri Lanka and threaten to undermine the three-year ceasefire between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
On Monday, more than 200 university teachers and students were shot at as they were marching towards the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM), which oversees the ceasefire. The protestors wanted to present a letter requesting that the SLMM intervene to stop the military harassment of Tamils in the Jaffna area.
When the marchers reached the Parameswara junction, about 200 metres from the university, they were blocked by soldiers. When the university vice chancellor attempted to argue for their right to march, troops opened fire then rushed the crowd, beating staff and students with their rifle butts.
