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Height of military anarchy

Yet again, the military unlawfully entered the Jaffna University complex two days ago. This has created outrage among the University community. The community is concerned that this action by the military has the potential to yet again anger the restive student population.

The law of the land bars armed military from entering the educational institutions. The military has yet again demonstrated that it is in no mood to respect the law of the land by entering the University Complex.

The Jaffna University Community was twice attacked by the military last December. A peaceful protest by the University Community, lead by its Vice Chancellor was fired at and attacked. Lecturers and staff were injured. Soon after this attack on the University Community, armed Police entered the University Complex and attacked students. The restive student community is yet cool down fully following these two attacks.

Following the December attacks, University was closed for several weeks, to avoid the worsening atmosphere in the University with the potential for the outraged student population clashing with the unruly military.

The deliberate, unlawful action by the military two days ago when they entered the University Complex again, has rekindled the anger among the students. Adding fuel to fire, Brigadier Mark, speaking to the journalists from Colombo, a few days ago, who were brought to Jaffna by the military, said that LTTE is hiding weapons inside the hospital and the University. Many in Jaffna interpreted the statement by the Brigadier as a forewarning that the military is planning to attack the hospital and the University.

Many inside the University and in the wider Jaffna community express the view that these actions and statements by the military are intended to enrage the students. Confirming this view is also the recent attacks on the Hero’s Cemeteries in Jaffna. The Hero’s Cemeteries have a special place in the hearts of most students in Jaffna.

26 June 2006

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