Leader of the Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), Sivagnanam Shritharan was aggressively manhandled by Sri Lankan police earlier today when the Member of parliament tried to remove a protestor from the clutches of police during a protest in Kilinochchi.
யாழ் பல்கலைக்கழக மாணவரை இழுத்துச் சென்று சிறீதரன் எம்.பியையும் தள்ளிய பொலிஸார்@ImShritharan pic.twitter.com/Os5iyrmMXX
— Prabhakaran Dilakshan (@Prabhakaranlk) February 4, 2024
“When the police were trying to arrest a student, I tried to prevent it by asking them the basis on which they are being arrested,” said Shritharan talking to reporters after the incident. “In the scuffle, I was attacked by a police officer who forcibly pushed me away. I am sure there are visuals of this.”
பொலிஸார் என்னை தாக்கினார்கள்.
@ImShritharan pic.twitter.com/kKDm9brflv— Prabhakaran Dilakshan (@Prabhakaranlk) February 4, 2024
Visuals show Sri Lanka police aggressively taking away peaceful protestors who were taking part in a planned demonstration to mark “Black Day”.
Earlier today, Sri Lanka police sought an injunction order from the Jaffna magistrate to prevent protests and marches, however, the request has been turned down.
Jaffna Deputy Magistrate P. Thavapalan rejected the motion filed by the Jaffna Police to prohibit representatives of political parties from holding protests. The Magistrate had declared that it was the public’s right to protest. He dismissed the request stating that protests could be held for as long as it does not disturb Independence Day events
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