Stray protests in Tamil Nadu against Rajapaksa
By IANSThursday, October 14, 2010
CHENNAI - More than 100 people were arrested in Tamil Nadu Thursday for protesting against Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s presence as the chief guest at the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony.
Some 100 people, including MDMK general secretary Vaiko, were taken into custody in Coimbatore, police said here.
Vaiko, a long-time supporter of the Tamil Tigers, alleged that while New Delhi protested when Indians were attacked in Australia, it was silent despite the deaths of many innocent Tamils in Sri Lanka.
Around 15 college students were also arrested from Salem district after they burnt Rajapaksa’s effigy, denouncing his presence at the Games in New Delhi.
Human rights groups have accused the Rajapaksa regime of war crimes following the death of a large number of civilians in the war that led to the crushing defeat of the Tamil Tigers last year.
It is Rajapaksa’s first visit to India after the end of the war.
–Indo Asian News Service
