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Complete hartal close down Jaffna peninsula, even military movements stopped

Many public events previously planned on that day, including sports events were postponed. People avoided being seen in public and stayed inside their homes. Restaurants, cafes and other food outlets were also closed for the day. Many commercial buildings flew black flags. Public transport service, private bus service, three-wheel taxis or any other rental vehicles were operating on the day. Due to absence of public transport the Muhamalai check point of the LTTE between LTTE and government controlled areas was also very quiet.

Tire burning

Tires were set alight at important junctions and main roads in the morning. Roads were blocked with trees and other objects. Black smoke could be seen in many parts of the peninsula because of burning tires. In some parts there was tension when the military attempted to stop the tire burning. This situation was observable in Vadamaradchi, Thenmaradchi, and Valigaman and in the surrounding islands.

In Jaffna

In Jaffna, the hartal conditions prevailed. Black flags flew in many parts of the town. Banana trees were brought and could be seen erected in many places in Jaffna Stanley road. Bank of Ceylon branches, Peoples bank branches, Seylon bank branches were all closed. The main Jaffna market, Jaffna co-operative society head office and branches, Jaffna Veerasingam hall, Technology Park were all closed. Jaffna central library was not functioning. Although Jaffna police station was open there were very few people in the vicinity. Popular three day school cricket matches were interrupted and postponed.

In Vadamaradchi

In the Vadamaradchi district hartal situation prevailed. Roads were blocked with tires, and old plastic boats. Market and commercial centres were closed. Transport was at a stand still.

Tires were burnt at the Nelliady junction and the burning tires were protected by a wire fence. At Vathiri junction too tires were burnt and it was protected by tree trunks all around. Tires were also burning at the Meththaikadai junction, on the main road in Pointpedro.

Along the coastal areas of Supparmadam, Inparuddy, Thikkam, Valvai, Uthayasuriyan, Ammankovilady and Alady junction old plastic boats and tree trunks were burning and blocking the roads.

In Kalviyankadu, Kaddaipirai, Vannai Sivankoviladdy, Manipay and Mesalai areas tension developed between the people and the military. However, because the police and the military withdrew from the location there were no serious incidents.

In Valigamam

In Valigamam north in Chunnakam, Mallakam and Thellipalai shops were closed in the commercial areas. Banana trees were erected and black flags flew in many places. Mournful music played at important junctions. Even traffic police were not seen out in the streets.

In Acchuveli, Avarangal, Putththur, Kondavil, Urumpirai, Urelu, Uduvil, Sandilipay, Manipay, Vaddukoddai, Chulipuram and Mathakal areas hartal was fully obeyed. Mournful music was played at important junctions at Chunnakam, Inuvil and Maruthanarmadam. Markets were closed and no pubic transport was operative. Black flags and erected banana tress could be seen everywhere.

Tension between civilian and military at Kaithadu-Puthur junction

Clashes broke out between civilians and the military at Puthur junction and in Kaithady areas during the hartal on Saturday. Military security posts were set alight by civilians. A tensed situation developed as a result.

At the Puthur junction in Mesalai, road blocks were set up by civilians. At the junction of the A9 road and Vempirai tires were set alight. Telegraph posts were used block the road. The civilian youth who gathered at the Puthur junction asked the military to remove their security post. The argument that developed ended up in clashes between the two. Civilians who came there tried to chase away the military. They set fire to the security post. The situation worsened. Police from Chavakachcheri rushed to the scene and emptied their guns into the air. People stepped back from the scene when the guns were fired. Civilians then tried to attack the police with sticks and stones. Police also attacked back.

The clashes that started at 10.30 am in the morning continued until 1.30 pm. Two SLMM members who attempted to arrive at the scene were unable to do so and they observed the situation through binoculars. Commercial centres at the junction were damaged due to the clashes between the civilians and the military.

At this same time in Kaithady...

Clashes also broke out between civilians and the military in areas in Kaithady. Tires and other garden rubbish were burning on the road from Kaithady to Manipay and on A9-Kandy road. Arguments that broke out when the military attempted to stop the burning led to clashes. People threw stones at the military. Police who rushed to the scene tried to bring clam. The military took pictures of the people who were arguing. People enraged by this set fire to the security posts at the Kaithady junction. The soldiers at the security posts ran away to their camp. Tires continued to burn on the streets in the area until dawn.

12 February 2005

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