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Troops besiege Uthayan office in Jaffna

Updated 09:47 BST (adds photograph)

Photograph Uthayan

Sri Lankan army troops have surrounded the Uthayan office in Jaffna with staff trapped inside.

"Round up at @UthayanPrint situation critical," the newspaper's official twitter handle, tweeted shortly after 1.30pm

Over 50 armed soldiers surrounded the building, and some soldiers are currently trying to enter the offices, a source told Tamil Guardian from inside the building.

Kannarthiddi and Navalar roads have been blocked off by armed troops and military vehicles.

The targeting of the Uthayan newspaper comes amidst a heightened military presence across the North-East as the military attempts to clamp down on attempts by Tamils to commemorate those who died at the end of the armed conflict in May 2009

Defying the ban on remembrance, the newspaper printed a special edition today, marking May 18th remembrance day.

Photographs Uthayan



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