Protests In Jaffna Banned

The Jaffna Magistrate issued a stay order banning all types of protests in the Jaffna town, the police media unit said yesterday.

The stay order was issued as a result of the violence which erupted in Jaffna last week during a protest against the alleged rape and murder of a girl in Jaffna.

The police had to use tear gas to disperse the protesters who had damaged public property and had also pelted stones at the Jaffna court building.

Police spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekera said that the ban on protests was issued after information was received that some groups were going to stage protests demanding the release of 130 people arrested over the Jaffna violence.

The police had arrested 130 people following the violence and they were later remanded after being produced in court.

Gunasekera said that anyone violating the court ban on protests in Jaffna will be arrested.

At least three groups were preparing to stage protests in Jaffna to demand the release of the 130 people.

On Friday top police officers in Jaffna had been transferred with immediate effect. The Superintendent of Police (SP), Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and the Headquarters Inspector (HQI) of the Jaffna police and the HQI of the Kayts police had been transferred.