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Protest against LTTE in Jaffna

COLOMBO: Jaffna’s civil society, along with business establishments, the administration and many educational institutions on Thursday observed a hartal to protest against the ‘cowardly’ LTTE suicide attack on two ships with food supplies to the peninsula on Wednesday, said Minister and Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) leader Doughlas Devananda.

“The cowardly action of the Tigers targeting two ships carrying essential items to the Jaffna Peninsula has angered the people so much that it led to a spontaneous protest,” Mr. Devananda told The Hindu.

A group of Tamil parties — the EPDP, PLOTE, TMVP, EPRLF-P and TULF — opposed to the LTTE have decided to observe October 28 as a ‘protest day’ in the north and eastern provinces, where the LTTE is “holding civilians hostage” in the warzones.

The sea route between the peninsula and the mainland provides essential goods to Jaffna. Any attempt to disrupt the supplies’ flow must be condemned, said Mr. Devananda. Due to the attack, services in Jaffna were disrupted as there were no transport facilities, he said.

Separately, the military said “counter-terrorist offensives” continued as it encountered stiff resistance from the LTTE in Wanni. The military claimed the LTTE’s casualties might soar following fresh fighting.

Meanwhile, 13 civilians from LTTE-held areas in Mullathivu district sought the military’s protection on Thursday. They used sea routes to reach Pulmuddai after escaping from LTTE-held Veththalakerni. “The escapees have told that they have to undergo untold hardships as a result of LTTE activities, including extortion and conscription of youngsters. However, signs emanating from Wanni indicate that civilians are ready to flee the clutches of the LTTE at any moment as dozens of civilians are fleeing Wanni on a daily basis,” said the Defence Ministry.

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