Mayhem at LTTE front fund raising event

(November 17, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) The affiliated organisation of the LTTE front British Tamil Forum (BTF) the UKTSU (UK Tamil Student Union) was abruptly called off whilst their ‘Western Thaalam 2008’ fund raising event was in progress. The event was held at the Harrow Leisure Centre on 15th (Saturday) November 2008.

The UKTSU call itself an umbrella organisation for all UK Tamil and Sri Lankan University societies. The text message sent widely claimed: ‘As a registered charity, don't forget that the money raised through this event will fund the provision of resources and educational opportunities for those in need back home.’ Tickets were sold at the door on the event date at £10 per person £20 for family. Students were able buy discounted tickets at £7 when they purchased through their contacts in advance.

The hall was full and overall attendance including those could not attend numbered around 2,000 persons. The programme started peacefully. Hall lights were switched off for the people to see the event in the light on the stage.

When the programmes stated after the break, suddenly there was huge screaming and shouting and folding metal chairs were flying liberally all around. There absolute mayhem in the hall and people in fear were screaming and crying. Some were injured by flying chairs.

The Council employed bouncers and police officers had to enter the hall to bring calm. The organisers were able to resume the music programme. Whilst it was in progress for half an hour, an announcement was made suddenly to call off the event on the advice of the police. All were asked to leave the place.

According to local sources roads leading to the hall were barricaded by the police until midnight. A person attending the event said, number of people were treated at the site or taken to the hospital. The source also said three youngsters were arrested and taken away by the police.

Further inquiries revealed that the violent Tamil gangsters too had mingled with the group and there were verbal exchanges between them and the university students. The source said the gangsters were scruffy looking and were dressed in trousers just clinging on to their waist. They appeared weird with their awkward hair cuts and some of them were wearing studs on their ears. One university student said even some of our boys looked scruffy and we could not see any difference between the gangsters and students.

It appears the violence started when the gangsters started to mess about with the students. - Sri Lanka Guardian