TN govt gears up for 4 Feb bandh

(February, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) Tamilnadu government today asked the authorities to maintain law and order in the State on 4 February, the day Sri Lankan Tamils Protection movement has called for a general strike seeking ceasefire in the island nation.

Describing the strike call as ‘against the Supreme Court’s verdict banning bandh’, an official release here said that the government has decided to maintain normal public transport and other essential services on the day.

The release said that a case, filed by the opposition AIADMK on the bandh call given by political parties on Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project (SSCP) last year, was pending before the apex court.

But there was no bandh and only a fast was undertaken during that period, it added.

It may be recalled that the newly-formed Sri Lankan Tamils Protection Movement comprising various political parties had announced a Statewide hartal on 4 February and take out black flag processions on 7 February demanding a ceasefire in Lanka.

Convenor of the movement Pazha Nedumaran sought the support of everyone to put an end to the atrocities against Tamils in the island nation.

‘After fighting for the cause for many years, we have now come together under a single movement. This has given hope to Tamils living all over the world and has made Lanka President Rajpaksa jittery,’ he said. -Sri Lanka Guardian