Police in Jaffna prohibited residents from putting up black flags during Tuesday’s island-wide day of mourning for the victims of the Easter Sunday bomb blasts, claiming the black flags seemed like a protest against the Sri Lankan government.
Nelliyadi police forced locals to take down black flags and tried to encourage them to put up white flags in memory of the victim instead.
Anger has been mounting as the government sought to deflect blame about failures in intelligence leading to the attacks.
Earlier this week Mannar police had also tried to take down black flags put in public places but were faced with resistance by residents and local traders.
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